Field experiment conducted to find out the effect of planting pattern of trap crop for managing budworm, Helicoverpa armigera in flue cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco indicated that marigold-sw (with single whorl ray florets) and rustica tobacco planted in East- West (EW) direction were as effective as their perimeter (P) planting all around the plot, in terms of reduced infestation on FCV tobacco and trapping of budworm eggs and larvae. Marigold-mw(with multi whorl ray florets) irrespective of planting pattern supported maximum natural enemy activity as compared to other treatments and it was least in rustica tobacco. The overall grade index was higher in tobacco with rustica tobacco and marigold (sw) planted as perimeter (P), however it did not differ significantly with that of tobacco with marigold (sw) and rustica tobacco planted in East West direction.
Trap crops, Helicoverpa armigera, flue cured virginia tobacco
