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Scientific Correspondence
Nature 388, 631-632 (14 August 1997) |
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Intercropping increases parasitism of pests
Z. R. Khan1, K. Ampong-Nyarko1, P. Chiliswa1, A. Hassanali1, S. Kimani1, W. Lwande1, W. A. Overholt1, W. A. Overholt1, J. A. Picketta2, L. E. Smart2 & C. M. Woodcock2
Abstract
As part of a programme for controlling lepidopteran stem-borers in cereal crops in Africa, we have investigated the effectiveness of combined cropping regimes of cultivatedand wild plants for reducing stem-borer damage. Intercropping with the non-host molasses grass, Melinis minutiflora, significantly decreased levels of infestation by stem-borers in the main crop and also increased larval parasitism of stem-borers by Cotesia sesamiae. Volatile agents produced by M. minutiflora repelled female stem-borers and attracted foraging female C. sesamiae. One of the volatile components released by intact M. minutiflora which attract parasitoids is also produced by herbivore-damaged plants and is implicated more widely as a cue for stimulating predation and parasitism.
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