Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) is a common vegetable whose production is severely limited by insect pest pressure in Western Africa.This study was conducted during the dry and rainy season in south Benin to evaluate the potential of tropical basil (Ocimum gratissimum L.) for repelling cabbage pests (Hellula undalis Fabricius, Plutella xylostella L. and Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval).In a complete randomized block design with four replicates, the insect infestation was compared between three association modalities: (i) cabbage intercropped with tropical basil, (ii) cabbage plots surrounded by tropical basil and (iii) control (no basil in the cabbage area).The presence of tropical basil near cabbage plots significantly reduced insect pest abundance on cabbage.Damages were also less important on cabbage intercropped with tropical basil.Among both intercropping modalities, alternate rows showed the best results in terms of reducing pest populations and damages than compared to cabbage plots surrounded by tropical basil.
Source: ORBi (University of Liège)
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2798033247