Effect of companion cropping on pest damage and natural enemy activity in mustard ecosystem

Impact of companion cropping on pest incidence and damage was studied along with its impact on natural enemies and pollinators in mustard ecosystem. Higher crop diversity produced better effect by reducing the incidence and damage of the important pests like aphid, painted bug, diamond back moth, saw fly, flea beetle and leaf miner and supporting higher populations of predators and parasitoids as well as pollinators like bees. Intercrop (coriander/fennel/linseed) + border crop (fenugreek/sesame) formations recorded less pest incidence and damage, sponsored higher yield gain and superior benefit-cost ratio as compared to only intercrop formations (coriander/fennel/linseed) and control.