Effectiveness of Intercropping Maize and Cucumber in Managing Epilachna elaterii Rossi and Fruit Fly Infestation

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different planting dates (time) in intercropping cucumber with maize on insect-pests and yield of cucumber in 2023 and 2024 planting seasons in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The field trials were carried using various intercropping planting dates. The three intercropping planting dates (time) included; Planting of cucumber with maize the same day, Planting of cucumber two weeks after maize and Planting of cucumber two weeks before maize. Four varieties of cucumber namely; Mona Lisa, Murano 2, Nandini 732 and cucumber marketer were used while only one maize variety, ART -98-SWI was used in the experiment.  The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications per treatment. The major insect pests assessed in the field were; Epilachna elaterii and fruit flies. The data obtained from the field trials were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using GenStat statistical software. Cucumber planted on the same day as of maize and cucumber planted two weeks after maize had lower population density of E. elaterii compared to cucumber planted two weeks before maize.  However, planting date had no significant effect on fruit fly infestation. Yield was highest in cucumber planted on the same day as maize. In the experiment, intercropped cucumber had lower insect pests’- population density compared to sole cucumber cropping. Nandini 732 had relatively reduced pest pressure and higher yield in the experiment.  These results suggest that intercropping of cucumber with maize is effective in managing insect pests of cucumber. Therefore, simultaneous planting of cucumber and maize is recommended for improved pest control and enhanced cucumber yield.