The effects of intercropping aromatic plants (AP) on behavior and population development of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) were investigated in the field (adults) and in the greenhouse (nymphs). The responses of adults to the volatiles of tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae), plants plus AP [T + coriander (Co), rue (R), marigold (M), Greek basil (B), or citronella (Ci)] vs. humidified air or tomato volatiles only were assessed in laboratory Y-tube olfactometer assays. We found higher responses of adult B. tabaci to the humidified air than to the T + Co, T + B, and T + Ci treatments. The responses to T + R and T + M were similar to those to the humidified air. Responses to tomato volatiles were also greater than to T + Co, T + B, and T + Ci. In field assays, populations of adult insects were evaluated in tomato alone, in tomato intercropped with coriander or Greek basil, and in tomato mulched with citronella grass for 6 weeks. Adult whiteflies were generally found in greater numbers in the tomato-alone treatment compared to tomato intercropped with coriander or basil and tomato with citronella grass mulch. Reduction in adult whitefly populations compared to the population found in tomato alone was 84, 79, and 69% in intercrops of T + Co and T + B, and the tomato with citronella mulch treatment, respectively. Infestations of B. tabaci nymphs in plots of tomato plants cultivated alone or intercropped with reseeded coriander plants were also determined in a greenhouse. Nymph counts in the greenhouse assay were generally lower in tomato intercropped with coriander than in tomato alone for all six assessments. The mean reduction in nymphs in tomato intercropped with coriander was 37.7% compared with tomato alone. These results indicate that intercropping aromatic plants reduces infestations of B. tabaci.

The effect of aromatic plants on number of twospotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch, when intercropped with strawberry were assessed in the field. During the first year, chives (Allium schoenoprasum L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), or sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) were intercropped with strawberry. Assessments were performed on TSSM populations by taking six samples from July 20 to September 20, 2012. During the second year, garlic plants were intercropped between rows of strawberry at three densities in greenhouse and field. Mobile forms and eggs numbers (only in field) of TSSM were evaluated from April 18 to June 05 (greenhouse) and June 06 to August 14, 2013 (field). It was found that intercropping with garlic caused a greater reduction of TSSM (up to 52 %) in strawberry plants when higher populations of TSSM occurred in the field. TSSM reduction was found in one sample when fennel and chives were intercropped with strawberries (42 and 50 % reduction, respectively); this also occurred when populations of TSSM were higher. The three densities of garlic plants (one, two and three rows among the strawberry rows) reduced TSSM mobile forms by 49, 53 and 60 % (greenhouse) and 44, 51 and 65 % (field), and eggs by 38, 43 and 64 % (field), respectively. The results suggest that intercropping garlic plants between strawberry rows is a promising strategy to reduce TSSM populations.

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Strawberry fi elds receive several pesticides spraying and residues in fruits are recurrent. Development and application of methods that avoid applying pesticides mostly during fructifi cation

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