Economic analysis of a promising cultural practice in the control of moth pests of cabbage

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Various planting patterns of cabbage and tomato were investigated to assess whether such a cultural practice could fcring about reduction in the incidence of Plutella xylostella (L.) and Crocidolomia binotalis Z. on cabbage. No reduction in the larval incidence of both the pests was observed when different combinations of cabbage and tomato were planted at the same time. A slight reduction in the incidence of both the lepidopterans had ensued in all the planting patterns, when cabbage was planted 15 days later than tomato. Maximum reduction, however, was observed following planting pattern of one row cabbage and one row tomato (cabbage planted 30 days later than tomato). It is further opined that this type of cultural practice cannot be used as a sole control measure for both the pests, since the marketable yield of cabbage recorded in the promising intercrop combination was well below the attainable yield that could be expected when insecticide sprays are undertaken on pure cabbage. Significant reduction in net return was also obtained following this cultural practice as compared to cabbage receiving insecticidal sprays based on different management programmes.