Intercropping Maize–Faba Bean Reduced Yield and Economic Losses Caused by Busseola fusca (Fuller) in Semiarid Area

Abstract

Intercropping is an important practice for controlling crop pests in Ethiopia. However, there is a limited studies on the maize–faba bean intercropping benefits for controlling stemborer (Busseola fusca) pests. This study was carried out at Wukro Agricultural College, Tigray, Ethiopia, to investigate the effects of maize intercrops with two faba bean varieties (Gora and Moti) at three different population levels (25%, 50%, and 75%) of the recommended sole faba bean (250,000 plants ha−1) on infestation, density, and damage of stemborer on maize. The intercrops significantly (p<0.05) reduced the stemborer infestation, density, and damage on maize over to the sole maize. Maize intercrops with the Gora faba bean variety at a density of 50% lowered the pest damage on maize cobs by 35% relative to the sole maize. The intercrop also reduced the grain yield and economic losses due to the pest by 48% and 53%, respectively, compared to the sole maize. The results recommended that maize intercropped with the Gora faba bean variety at a density of 50% could be used as an alternative farming against stemborer pest in the semiarid farming systems of northern Ethiopia.