The effect of intercropping with maize on the level of infestation and damage by pod-sucking bugs in cowpea

Abstract

The effect of intercropping cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.) with maize ( Zea mays L.) on the population of cowpea pod-sucking bugs (PSB) was investigated by varying the time of planting cowpea in cowpea/maize intercropping systems. The different planting times were simultaneous planting of maize and cowpea (0) and subsequent interplanting of cowpea at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP) maize. The ratios of cowpea : maize population was also varied. The population of Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stal., Riptortus dentipes Fab., Anoplocnemis curvipes Fab., Mirperus jaculus W. and Nezara viridula L. was significantly less on cowpea in the 4 and 6 WAP treatments., but yield in these treatments was also reduced compared to all other treatments. There was a significantly lower population of bugs ( P<0.05) on the cowpea crop when grown at 25 : 75 and 50 : 50 cowpea : maize ratios but the yield was greatest at the 50 : 50 ratio.