EFFECT OF INTERCROPPING ON THE INCIDENCE OF INSECT PESTS OF Cicer arietinum L. ( CHICKPEA)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in the field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University farm, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from November, 2008 to March, 2009. The experiment consists of seven treatments such as- T1: Gram sole (control), T2: Gram + Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), T3: Gram + Lentil (Lens Culinaris), T4: Gram + Mustard (Brassica spp.), T5: Gram + Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), T6: Gram + Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and T7: Gram + Radhuni (Coriandrum spp.). It was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The lowest average pod infestation per plant in number (3.75%) was observed from T6 and the highest average pod infestation per plant (9.40%) was recorded from T1 treatment. The minimum average pod infestation per plant in weight (3.53%) was recorded from T6 treatment and the maximum pod infestation per plant (9.66%) was found from T1 treatment. Among the treatment combinations, Gram + Garlic was more effective as intercropped for the controlling of insect pests as well as highest yield contributing characters and yield of gram.