Intercropping Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) with Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annum) Reduces Major Pest Population Densities without Impacting Natural Enemy Populations

Intercropping of aromatic plants provides an environmentally benign route to reducing pest damage in agroecosystems. However, the effect intercropping on natural enemies, another element which may be vital success integrated management approach, varies different systems. Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae), has been reported repellent many insect species. In this study, impact sweet pepper/rosemary population suppression was evaluated under greenhouse conditions and rosemary enemy dynamics investigated. The results showed that with pepper significantly reduced densities three major species pepper, Frankliniella intonsa, Myzus persicae, Bemisia tabaci, but did not affect their predatory bug, Orius sauteri, or parasitoid, Encarsia formosa. Significant no adverse released populations system suggests could approach for greenhouse-cultivated pepper. Our highlight potential integration alternative control strategies optimize sustainable control.