Intercropping cabbage and Indian mustard for potential control of lepidopterous and other insects

A system of intercropping cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) with Indian mustard [Brassica juncea CL.) Czern.] to reduce pesticide applicati ons was evaluated over three cropping seasons. Insects were monitored in no nintercropped cabbage, cabbage plots surrounded by Indian mustard, and the Indian mustard intercrop. Insecticide applications were made to individual plots based on specific treatment thresholds for lepidopterous insects and accepted pest management practices for other insects. Intercropping had no significant effect on the number of lepidopterous larvae in cabbage. Indian mustard did not appear to preferentially attract lepidopterous insects, bu t was highly attractive to hemipterans, especially harlequin bugs [Murganti a histrionica (Hahn)]. In one season with heavy harlequin bug pressure, int ercropping with Indian mustard eliminated two insecticide applications to c abbage. Intercropping cabbage with Indian mustard does not appear to be an economical pest management practice under normal pest pressures in West Tex as.