Trap CroppingBy

Mr . Allah Dad Khan

Trap cropping

Trap cropping is the planting of a trap crop to protect the main cash crop from a certain pest or several pests. The trap crop can be from the same or different family group, than that of the main crop, as long as it is more attractive to the pest. There are two types of planting the trap crops; perimeter trap cropping and row intercropping. Perimeter trap cropping (border trap cropping) is the planting of trap crop completely surrounding the main cash crop. It prevents a pest attack that comes from all sides of the field. It works best on pests that are found near the borderline of the farm. Row intercropping is the planting of the trap crop in alternating rows within the main crop

Technique

Trap cropping is a technique that uses plants attractive to insect pests to lure them away from the cash crop. Trap cropping, while not a silver bullet solution to all pest problems, can be an effective tool against insect pests when farmers take the time to research and implement the required steps.

Trap cropping as strategy

Trap cropping has indicated a great benefit interms of economic returns on an average of 10-30 per cent increase in net profits mainly resulting from reduced insecticide use and pest attack. Trap cropping is a useful strategy in the management of several pests in various cropping systems. It offers significant economic and environmental benefits and it can successfully integrated with cultural, biological and chemical control methods.

Different insects prefer different trap crops:

Which trap crop you choose depends on the pests you are trying to trap. If the plant isn't sufficiently attractive to the pest then it won't be any use so it is vital to pick the right ones. Often this is a matter for experimentation coupled with observation of what the pests go for in your garden

Layout of the trap crop:

For some insects it is sufficient to plant the trap crop around the border of your growing area. Others are harder to stop and it may be necessary to interplant them to draw them off the main crops. Quantities will depend on the insect you are trying to deter but farmers usually set aside something in the region of 20% of the main crop area for the trap crop. Smaller gardens growing a variety of vegetables will often need less than this

Timing:

Most insect invasions happen at a specific time of year. For example, I almost always get an aphid invasion in late May or early June. It is important to have the trap crop already well established by the time pests arrive.

Beneficial Insects:

Trap crops are just one part of good organic pest control and need to be balanced with adequate companion planting of flowers to attract beneficial insects such as lacewings and ladybirds.

Advantages of trap cropping

Lessens the use of pesticide Lowers the pesticide cost through decrease the use of

external inputs Pesticides. Preserves the indigenous natural enemies enhance

biodiversity Increase productivity and Improves the crop's quality Helps conserve the soil and the environment Reduce Damage to cash crop Attract beneficial organism. Deter insects pests.

Disadvantages of trap cropping

1. Need for additional planning and resources2. Insecticides may still be needed3. Need good knowledge of insect behaviour

and preference – you don’t want the trap crop to become a nursery for other pests.

Tips for Successful trap cropping

 (1) learn to know and identify the pests and their natural enemies,

(2) make a farm plan to guide you on where and when the trap crops will be planted,

(3) monitor your plants regularly, (4) immediately control the pests that are found in your

trap crop, otherwise they will serve as a breeding ground, (5) if needed, be ready to sacrifice your trap crop as an

early crop and destroy them as soon as the pest infestation gets too high, and

(6) Always keep farm records. What trap crops worked best and against which insect pests?

The important trap Crops

crops commonly used in pest management included, bhendi/okra in cotton to trap bollworms at the ratio of 1:10 and marigold at the boarder of the field. Sesamum is commonly being used as trap crop to attract Diamondback moth in both cabbage and cauliflower. Two rows of sesamum for every 25 rows of cabbage or cauliflower can be planted to trap the pest. In groundnut, castor or sunflower can be used to attract leaf eating caterpillar on the boarder of the field. In tomato marigold or cucumber is commonly used as trap crop for every 15 rows of the main crop to attract tomato fruit borer. In case of field beans, chrysanthamum acts as a trap crop against leaf minor. Marigold is a potential trap crop in potato and rice against nematodes and snails, respectively. To trap corn stalk borer in maize sorghum has been exploited as trap crop

Examples of trap cropping practices

Trap crop Main crop Method of planting Pest controlledAlfalfa(Meyer, 2003)

Cotton Strip intercrop Lygus bug

Basil and marigold(MMSU, 2003)

Garlic Border crops Thrips

Castor plant(Hasse, 1986; 1987)

Cotton Border crop Heliotis sp.

Chervil(Ellis; Bradley, 1996)

VegetablesOrnamentals

Among plants Slugs

Chinese cabbage,mustard, and radish(Facknath, 1997; Muniappan; Lali, 1997)

Cabbage Planted in every 15 rows of cabbage

Cabbage webwormFlea hopperMustard aphid

Examples of trap cropping practices ContdBeans and other legumes

Corn Row intercrop LeafhopperLeaf beetles Stalk borerFall armyworm

Chick pea(Grundy; Short, 2003)

Cotton Block trap crop at 20 plants/ sq m (Brown, 2002)

Heliotis sp.

Collards(Boucher; Durgy, 2003)

Cabbage Border crop Diamondback moth

Corn(Hasse, 1986; 1987)

Cotton Row intercrop, planted in every 20 rows of cottonor every 10-15 m

Heliotis sp. 

Cowpea (CIKS, 2000)

Cotton Row intercrop in every5 rows of cotton

Heliotis sp. 

Desmodium(ICIPE, 2003)

CornCowpeaMilletSorghum

Row intercrop StemborerStriga

Examples of trap cropping practices contd

Dill and lovage(Ellis; Bradley, 1996)

Tomato Row intercrop Tomato hornworm

Green beans(Ellis; Bradley, 1996)

Soybean Row intercrop Mexican bean beetle

Horse radish(DA, Philippines, 1997)

Potato Intercrop Colorado potato beetle

Hot cherry pepper(Boucher; Durgy, 2003)

Bell pepper Border crop Pepper maggot

Indian mustard(Cornell University, 1995)

Cabbage Strip intercrop in between cabbage plots

Cabbage head caterpillar

Examples of trap cropping practices contd

Marigold (French and African marigold)(Vann; Kirkpatrick; Cartwright, 2004)(Dofour; Guerena; Earles, 2003)

SolanaceousCrucifersLegumes Cucurbits

Row/strip intercrop

Nematodes

Medic, Medicago litoralis(Miles, C.; et al., 1996)

Carrot Strip intercrop in betweencarrot plots

Carrot root fly

Napier grass(ICIPE, 2003)

Corn IntercropBorder crop

Stemborer

Nasturtium(Ellis; Bradley, 1996)

Cabbage Row intercrop AphidsFlea beetleCucumber beetleSquash vine borer

Okra(Hasse, 1986; 1987)

Cotton Border crop Flower cotton weevil

Examples of trap cropping practices contdOnion and garlic Carrot Border crops or

barrier crops in between plots

Carrot root flyThrips

Radish(Ellis; Bradley, 1996)

Cabbage family Row intercrop Flea beetleRoot maggot

Rye(OIKOS, 2003)

Soybean Row intercrop Corn seedling maggot

Sesbania(Naito, 2001)

Soybean Row intercrop at a distanceof 15 m apart

Stink bug

Sickle pod(OIKOS, 2003)

Soybean Strip intercrop Velvet bean caterpillar Green stink bug

Soybean Corn Row intercrop Heliotis sp.  

Sudan grass(ICIPE, 2003)

Corn IntercropBorder crop

Stemborer

Examples of trap cropping practices contd

Sunflower(CIKS, 2000)

Cotton Row intercrop in every 5 rows of cotton

Heliotis sp.  

Tansy(DA, Philippines, 1997)

Potato Intercrop Colorado potato beetle

Tobacco(Hasse, 1986; 1987)

Cotton Row intercrop, planted inevery 20 rows of cotton

Heliotis sp.  

Tomato (Makumbi, 1996)

Cabbage Intercrop (Tomato is planted 2 weeks ahead at the plots' borders)

Diamondback moth

Vertiver grass(van de Berg, Undated)

Corn Perimeter crop Corn stalk borer 

Examples of Trap CropsNasturtium makes an excellent trap-crop to keep blackfly off

other crops

Examples of Trap Crops contd

Nasturtiums are very attractive to aphids (blackfly, greenfly, whitefly) which will often completely cover the stems. Expect to see ants 'farming' the aphids for the honeydew they release.

Nettles also attract aphids and because they do this early on in the season they are often followed by beneficial insects such as ladybirds (ladybugs).

Chervil is said to be very attractive to slugs.French Marigold is variously reported to attract slugs, thrips

and nematodes.Radish is said to attract flea beetle and root fly away from

cabbages although various other brassicas can be used as trap crops too so it is best to experiment with Chinese cabbage and collards as well.

Nettles attract aphids which are followed by ladybirds