eprintid: 52742
rev_number: 15
eprint_status: archive
userid: 50235
dir: disk0/00/05/27/42
datestamp: 2024-03-11 11:51:54
lastmod: 2024-03-11 11:51:54
status_changed: 2024-03-11 11:51:54
type: journalp
metadata_visibility: show
doclang: en
projects: 0other
projects: de-tu-muenchen-weihenstephan
refereed: yes
budget: 0
docurl: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ps.4636
publicfulltext: FALSE
creators_name: Singh, Akanksha
creators_name: Weisser, Wolfgang W.
creators_name: Hanna, Rachid
creators_name: Houmgny, Raissa
creators_name: Zytynska, Sharon E.
title: Reduce pests, enhance production: benefits of intercropping at high densities for okra farmers in Cameroon
ispublished: pub
subjects: 2cropcomb
subjects: 7biodiversity
subjects: 8planthealth
keywords: intercropping, crop identity, high plant density, pests, predators, yield
abstract: BACKGROUND
Intercropping can help reduce insect pest populations. However, the results of intercropping can be pest- and crop-species specific, with varying effects on crop yield, and pest suppression success. In Cameroon, okra vegetable is often grown in intercropped fields and sown with large distances between planting rows (∼ 2 m). Dominant okra pests include cotton aphids, leaf beetles and whiteflies. In a field experiment, we intercropped okra with maize and bean in different combinations (okra monoculture, okra–bean, okra–maize and okra–bean–maize) and altered plant densities (high and low) to test for the effects of diversity, crop identity and planting distances on okra pests, their predators and yield.
RESULTS
We found crop identity and plant density, but not crop diversity to influence okra pests, their predators and okra yield. Only leaf beetles decreased okra yield and their abundance reduced at high plant density. Overall, okra grown with bean at high density was the most economically profitable combination.
CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that when okra is grown at higher densities, legumes (e.g. beans) should be included as an additional crop. Intercropping with a leguminous crop can enhance nitrogen in the soil, benefiting other crops, while also being harvested and sold at market for additional profit. Manipulating planting distances and selecting plants based on their beneficial traits may thus help to eliminate yield gaps in sustainable agriculture.
date: 2017
date_type: published
publication: Pest Management Science
volume: 73
full_text_status: restricted
pagerange: 2017-2027
id_number: https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4636
contact_email: akanksha.singh@fibl.org
conf_subm: not_subm
voa3r_agrovoc_lang: en
voa3r_agrovoc_lang: en
voa3r_agrovoc_lang: en
voa3r_agrovoc_value_string: crop diversification -> diversification
voa3r_agrovoc_value_string: intercropping
voa3r_agrovoc_value_string: pest control
voa3r_agrovoc_value_uri: http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2344
voa3r_agrovoc_value_uri: http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3910
voa3r_agrovoc_value_uri: http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5726
fp7_project: no
access_rights: info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
citation:    Singh, Akanksha; Weisser, Wolfgang W.; Hanna, Rachid; Houmgny, Raissa and Zytynska, Sharon E.   (2017) Reduce pests, enhance production: benefits of intercropping at high densities for okra farmers in Cameroon.   Pest Management Science, 73, pp. 2017-2027.        
document_url: /id/eprint/52742/1/Pest%20Management%20Science%20-%202017%20-%20Singh%20-%20Reduce%20pests%20%20enhance%20production%20%20benefits%20of%20intercropping%20at%20high%20densities%20for.pdf