The importance mixed cropping vegetable plants in the protection from pests

Abstract

Vegetable production is one the most intensive and profitable parts of agricultural production, which is manifested in the level of yield per area unit, output, net profit and participation of human work. During the vegetation period, vegetable plants are exposed to the attack of numerous harmful organisms (pests, diseases, weeds, etc.) that can completely compromise vegetable production. Except of insects, which make up the most numerous group of pests, vegetables are damaged by mites, nematodes, snails, rodents and birds. The insects species from different orders: Hemiptera, Thysanoptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera, damage above organs and underground parts of vegetable plants, often causing their complete decay, especially if the number of species has increased. In order to preserve the environmental conservation and human health, it is necessary to apply the concept of integrated pest control, which includes the application of chemical measures only when necessary, in a way that preserves natural enemies and pollutes the environment as little as possible. In this regard, the aim is to find different methods and ways of growing vegetables to reduce pest infestation, where mixed cropping or consociations of different vegetables and vegetables together with medicinal plants has many advantages. The most important of that is less exposure and reduced pest attack due to the positive interaction of cultivated plants.