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Intercropping increases parasitism of pests

Nature volume 388, pages 631–632 (1997)Cite this article

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, PO Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya

    Z. R. Khan, K. Ampong-Nyarko, P. Chiliswa, A. Hassanali, S. Kimani, W. Lwande, W. A. Overholt & W. A. Overholt

  2. IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, Hertfordshire, UK

    J. A. Picketta, L. E. Smart & C. M. Woodcock

Authors
  1. Z. R. Khan
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  2. K. Ampong-Nyarko
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  3. P. Chiliswa
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  4. A. Hassanali
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  5. S. Kimani
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  6. W. Lwande
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  7. W. A. Overholt
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  8. W. A. Overholt
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  9. J. A. Picketta
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  10. L. E. Smart
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  11. C. M. Woodcock
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Khan, Z., Ampong-Nyarko, K., Chiliswa, P. et al. Intercropping increases parasitism of pests. Nature 388, 631–632 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/41681

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