CONTROL OF THRIPS INFESTATION ON LEEK BY INTERCROPPING WITH CLOVER, CARROT OR BEAN

Intercropping could be a promising possibility for reducing insect pest populations in vegetable crops in which applications of insecticide are relatively ineffective. Observations on Thrips tabaci Lind. populations were made in a crop of leek intercropped with clover (Trifolium fragiferum), carrot, French bean and in leek in monocrop. Significant differences were found in adult and larval populations, which were counted on the intercropped and monocropped leek plants. The investigations performed pointed to a significant decrease of the number of adult and larval populations of onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lind.) developing on leeks cultivated in intercrop, compared to leeks cultivated in monocrop.