Sustainable production and pest management of okra[Abelmoschus esculentus(L.)Moench] through intercropping

A field trial was conducted during pre kharif season of 2022-23 at the
Horticultural Research Station,Mondouri,Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya,
West Bengal,India to assess the impact of intercropping on sustainable production
and eco-friendly management of major insect pests of okra under maize border crop.
The trial was laid out in a Randomized block design with seven different treatment
combinations.Jassids and whitefly,specially the white flies,vector of Yellow Vein
Mosiac Disease, have become one of the major challenges for the commercial okra
growers of this area mainly in rainy season.The preswnt work has been carried out
with an aim to manage these notorious pests of okra in a sustainable manner. The
results showed that intercropping had a significant effect on
variousgrowth,yield,quality, economics and major pest complexes of okra.Trial result
revealed that okra and cowpea combination recorded the highest okra equivalent
yield (26.15 ton/ha),closely followed by okra and marigold (22.89 ton/ha). Regarding
pest control, significantly maximum reduction of jassid and whitefly were noticed in
okra and marigold association (35.06% and 27.12 % respectively).intercropping also
showed a notable effect on the quality parameter of the main crop. Intercropping okra
with cowpea produced a significantly maximum concentration of ascorbic
acid(22.5mg/100g) than other treatments.From an economic standpoint, the
intercropping system of okra and cowpea system exhibited highest net
return(Rs.2,35,038.50) and benefit-cost ratio (B:C ratio3.98). The intercropping
system of okra and cowpea was an efficient user of biological resources showing
maximum values for land equivalent ratio(1.50), relative crowding coefficient (2.22)
and lowest aggressivity value (-0.12). Okra and amaranthus combination recorded
lowest values for the above – mentioned parameters. So it can be concluded that
intercropping okra with cowpea might be a sustainableproductionsystemfor farmers
in the gangetic plains of West Bengal.