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Importance of Intercropping for Biodiversity Conservation

Mukta Mala
Department of Entomology, Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Dumki, Patuakhali- 8602, Bangladesh.

Md Mahi Imam Mollah
Department of Entomology, Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Dumki, Patuakhali- 8602, Bangladesh.

Mousumi Baishnab
Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Traditional there are two strategies to handle pest problems in crop production, either dependence on non-chemical agricultural practices (such as cultural, mechanical, biological practices, etc.) or reliance on existing natural pest control mechanisms. Intercropping is a cultural non-chemical agricultural practice where two or more crops are grown on the same field in a year with different cropping patterns. In these multiple cropping systems, biodiversity and pest suppression are increased. Biodiversity can restore the natural elements of the agroecosystem because almost all favorable elements of natural enemies are available in the diversified agroecosystem. Energy-intensive modern technology in agriculture is one of the vital causes for the loss of biodiversity. In intercropping system, biological pest control methods can be ensured with a higher level of crop diversity instead of energy-intensive agriculture. Intercropping provides different benefits on pest management with two available hypotheses or mechanisms. One of the hypotheses is the ‘resource concentration hypothesis’ and another is the ‘natural enemies hypothesis’. Intercropping, directly and indirectly, influences to increase biodiversity which results in a reduction of pest densities in crop fields. As a result, less expense for use of pesticide is required and finally higher yield also add some financial benefits. Intercropping system utilizes the inherent ability of plants to protect pests. Therefore further knowledge about genotypic crop diversity, diversity of natural enemies, chemically-mediated mechanisms of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) will be effective for further improvement of the intercropping system for greater benefits.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Intercropping, Poly culture, Pest management

Location: Department of Entomology, Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Dumki, Patuakhali- 8602, Bangladesh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Plant, Pest

Objectives:

To find the importance of intercropping for biodiversity conservation.

Methodology:

Nowadays biological pest control becomes a potentially important issue for ecosystem service of biodiversity although there is no guarantee of pest control by only increasing biodiversity because some plants do not provide a favorable environment for natural enemies. Therefore it is essential to understand the interaction of plant-pest-natural enemies to improve pest management systems in favor of higher diversity. There are two approaches; one is bottom-up and another is a top-down approach in an agroecosystem. Vegetation diversification is an example of a bottom-up approach where diversified plants can directly influence the pest population through the ‘resource concentration hypothesis’ effect. Trap cropping is also another potential mechanism where trap crop attracts pests away from nearby main crops. In this way, trapping crops can save the main crops from an infestation of pests. On the other hand top-down approach where conservation biological control through increasing natural enemies is used to suppress pests through the ‘enemies hypothesis’ effect. The natural pest management system can be improved by increasing the level of complexity of biodiversity.

Source of Information: J. Sci. Technol. Environ. Inform. 10(02): 709-716 | Mala et al. (2020)

Article Link (Online Journal): https://doi.org/10.18801/jstei.100220.71

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

There are different agronomic purposes of intercropping practice and one of the most vital purposes is pest suppression. Intercropping is a cultural practice of agriculture by which we can also minimize our diversity problems. Different elements of natural pest management are available in intercropping systems. In addition, intercropping systems conserve plant diversities that can help to maximize the action of natural enemies to control the vast majority of pests. We can use the inherent ability of plant and nature to protect pest and to achieve better yield in the intercropping system because biodiversity functions as renewal processes in agroecosystems and provide ecological services to society. Therefore, understanding the role of biodiversity in pest suppression is a fundamental issue to improve the efficiency of the intercropping system.

Knowledge Management: Journal