The ecological function and economic benefits of mixed-strip planting of tobacco with medicinal plants
Author of the article:WANG Meng-Ting1** JIN Li-Xia1 YANG Hai-Lin2 FAN Wu-Wei2 LIU Ning-Ning2 XIA Zhen-Yuan3*** GAO
Author's Workplace：1. College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; 2. Yunnan Tobacco Company Yuxi City Company, Yuxi 653100, China; 3. Yunnan Academy of Tobacco Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650021, China
Key Words：tobacco; medicinal functional plants; Myzus persicae; Aphidius gifuensis; ladybug; hover fly
Abstract： [Aim] Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), is an important economic crop in China and is crucial to the development of China’s agricultural economy. Intensive planting has, however, aggravated the occurrence of tobacco pests and diseases, the “3R” problem, environmental pollution, and even threats to human health caused by the application of many chemical pesticides. It is important, therefore, to develop more environmentally-friendly pest control methods. [Methods] Here, the benefits of planting of medicinal plants in conjunction with tobacco is evaluated, using tobacco monoculture fields and natural vegetation tobacco fields as controls. [Results] Planting fenugreek with tobacco significantly reduced the population density of Myzus persicae and Bemisia tabaci on tobacco plants, and significantly increased the population density of parasitic and predatory natural enemies of these pests. The population density of parasites and predators of tobacco pests was also significantly increased by co-planting with Artemisia annua. Natural enemies of Myzus persicae were higher when tobacco was planted with other plant species than in tobacco monocultures, however, co-planting with fenugreek and Artemisia annua was most beneficial. [Conclusion] Mixed-strip planting of tobacco with medicinal plants such as fenugreek or Artemisia annua Linn., can significantly reduce the abundance of insect pests and increase the abundance of their natural enemies, thereby controlling tobacco pests in an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective fashion. This kind of mixed-strip planting has considerable potential in future agricultural development.