Abstract
The effect of cowpea and maize intercropping and a single application of monocrotophos [500 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha-1] on cowpea pod-sucking bugs (PSB) was investigated and compared with that of the monocrop of cowpea with or without monocrotophos. In the intercrop with insecticide treatments, PSB populations were lower (P < 0.05) than in the other treatments. Populations of PSB in the intercrop without insecticide and cowpea monocrop with insecticide treatments did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). In cowpea monocrop without insecticide, the level of PSB infestation was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of the other treatments. Addition of monocrotophos to the intercropping system produced significantly greater yields, but there were no significant differences among yields obtained in the intercrop without insecticide and monocrop with insecticide. Yields in the intercrop were 12-50% greater than in the monocrop in the early and late seasons of 1994 and 1996.
