| dc.description.abstract | Cabbage has gained popularity as both food and cash crop across the globe. However, its production is
still constrainedby major insect pests and diseases. Aphids are on record as the most damaging pests of
cabbage. Dependence on chemical pesticides to control these pests, has not only led to increased
production costs but equally contributes to environmental degradation. Thus cultural practices act as an
alternative in cabbage insect pest control.The study assessed the effectiveness of intercropping cabbages
with lemon grass on the control of cabbage pests and enhancing cabbage productivity. The study focused
on; identifying major pests that attack cabbages, determining the effects of intercropping cabbage with
lemon grass on the control of cabbage aphids and determining the growth and yields of cabbage under
intercropping system. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)
with four treatments each of which was replicated three times. The treatments were; sole cabbage (T1); 1
row of cabbage alternating with 1row of lemon grass (T2); 2 rows of cabbage alternating with 1 row of
lemon grass (T3) and 3 rows of cabbage alternating with 1 row of lemon grass (T4). The study revealed
that planting cabbage with one row of lemon grass had the lowest aphid infestation among all varieties
compared to other treatments while planting cabbage as monocrop registered the highest infestation. The
study found out that aphids, leaf miner, cut worms, root knot nematodes, diamond back moth and
cabbage webworm in their order of infestation were the insect pests attacking cabbage in Masheruka sub county. Intercropping cabbage with lemon grass significantly reduced aphid infestation in seasons one
(p<0.05) and two (p<0.05) respectively. Lemon grass is repellant with the insecticidal properties against
insect pests. The study further found out that intercropping cabbage with lemon grass does not
necessarily increase cabbage yield (p>0.05). In conclusion, the study confirmed that there are various
pests attacking cabbage in Masheruka sub-county such as aphids, leaf miner, cut worms, root knot
nematodes, diamond back moth and cabbage webworm in their order of infestation. Intercropping
cabbage with lemon grass reduced aphid infestation. Intercropping cabbage with lemon grass does not
necessarily increase cabbage yield. The study recommends usage of lemon grass as an intercrop in
cabbage production should be promoted as an alternative insect pest management tool in the study area
and country in general. To reduce costs in controlling insect pests, farmers should endeavor to grow
cabbage in wet seasons when there is low insect pest infestations. Further studies should be conducted to
(i) assess the level of aphid infestation on cabbage with altitude and (ii) economic returns as a result of
use of lemon grass as an intercrop and (iii) management of lemon grass to reduce its competition with
cabbage for light, moisture and nutrients. | en_US |
