The effect of intercropping canola and garlic at different row ratios on the control of Plutella xylostella and crop yield

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Food Sciences and Technology Department, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Plants that repel or inhibit pest feeding are effective components of mixed cropping systems for pest control. This study examined the effects of intercropping canola (Brassica napus L.) and garlic (Allium sativum L.) in three row ratios (6C:4G, 6C:8G, and 6C:12G) (numbers indicate the number of rows of crops) on the density of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.), percentage of infested plants, and crop yield in comparison to canola monoculture during the 2024 and 2025 growing seasons. Total polyphenol content was measured in green garlic leaves at three weight ratios (4, 8, and 12 kg) corresponding to the 6C:4G, 6C:8G, and 6C:12G systems, respectively. All three intercropping treatments, particularly 6C:12G, resulted in a significant reduction in the number of diamondback moth larvae and pupae compared to canola monoculture. The percentage of infested plants and infested leaves per plant was also significantly lower in all intercropping systems, especially 6C:12G, compared with canola monoculture. A significant negative linear regression was obtained between total polyphenol content in garlic leaves and the number of larvae, pupae, percentage of infested plants, and percentage of infested leaves per plant (P<0.05). Also, the land equivalent ratio (LER) ranged from 1.19 to 1.42 in 6C:4G and 6C:12G, respectively. These findings indicate that all three canola-garlic intercropping systems, particularly 6C:12G, can reduce diamondback moth damage and increase crop yield.

Keywords

References

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Plant Pest Research
Volume 15, Issue 3
December 2025
Pages 55-66

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 October 2025
  • Revise Date: 08 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 08 December 2025

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