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.