Kale intercropping for insect control in cabbage crops as an alternate to insecticides application
Sommaire de l'article
Cabbage is important crop, hence, synthetic insecticides are commonly used to control its insects and to maximize yields. We have investigated for three years, the alternatives to synthetic insecticides. In our study with cabbage, cauliflower and kale, we found that planting kale with cabbage eliminated insect attack predation and only the cauliflower was attacked by insects and that too very late in the growing season. These findings have important implications, that kale intercropping with cabbage can protect the later crop from insects attack without the expenses and potential health risks of synthetic pesticides. Our findings suggested that phenolic compounds deposited on the surface of the kale leaves as well as release of volatiles, repelled the insects. Future investigations are necessary to identify the repellent compound(s).