Abstract
Full field undersowing of leeks with clovers suppresses populations of adult and larval Thrips tabaci. To explore the conditions for application of this approach of IPM in commercial practice, variations in the spatial and temporal pattern of clover undersowing were studied. Effects on thrips populations, crop growth and the development of thrips feeding symptoms were recorded. Assessment of the yield in quantity and quality was made. Sowing clover (Trifolium fragiferum) between rows resulted in significant and sufficient thrips population suppression and good yields. Similar results were achieved by full field sowing of clover simultaneous with leek crop planting. Reduced thrips feeding symptoms were found in intercropped leeks.
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Theunissen, J., Schelling, G. Infestation of leek by Thrips tabaci as related to spatial and temporal patterns of undersowing. BioControl 43, 107–119 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009986917903
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009986917903