Influence of intercrops on sucking pests of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of intercrops at different proportion on sucking pests. During kharif 2018, and 2019 crop combinations viz., okra + maize (1:1), okra + maize (2:1), okra + sorghum (1:1), okra + sorghum (2:1), okra + cowpea (1:1), okra + cowpea (2:1), and okra alone were grown and assessed against the population of whitefly, jassid, and mites from lower, middle, and an upper leaf of the plant at different stages. Amongst all the crop combinations okra + cowpea (1:1) recorded the lowest whitefly (3.08 whitefly/3 leaves), jassid (6.10 jassid/3 leaves), and mites (6.92 mites/2 cm²) population. On the contrary, the maximum arthropod pests i.e., whitefly (4.08/3 leaves), jassid (7.81/3 leaves), and mites (8.76/2 cm²) were observed in okra + maize (2:1). Based on the present results, it could also be inferred that the insects and mites infestation was considerably influenced by the crop phenology. Among all crop combinations okra + cowpea (1:1) recorded the maximum land equivalent ratio (1.31), and equivalent yield (111.4 q/ha).