Effect of Guard crops on Population Density of Pea Aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) against Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

A field trial was conducted during two rabi cropping seasons 2017-18 and 2018-19 to evaluate the role of some field crops as guard plants in pea crop. Sorghum, bajra and maize were cultivated at the boundaries of target crop (pea crop) to explore their ability to attract pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) away from pea crop. The outcome of the study revealed that sowing of maize at the boundaries of pea fields was not much effective in reducing the aphid infestation. On the other hand, fields surrounded by sorghum showed most effective protection from pea aphids attack on pea crop followed by bajra and polyculture (sorghum, bajra and maize with pea crop).