Nature's Network in Potato Fields: Pest Suppression through Diversified Cropping System
S. N. Trisha
Department of Entomology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh and Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
S. S. Proma
Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh and Ministry of Public Administration, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
S. K. Bhowmik
Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh and Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
S. G. Azam
Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
S. Bhowmik
Institute of Forestry & Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagang, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh.
G. M. R. Laila
Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh and Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
A. A. Mamun
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
S. K. Bhowal *
Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh and On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Cumilla-3500, Bangladesh.
M. A. Latif
Department of Entomology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
T. Akter
Department of Entomology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In the intricate web of agricultural ecosystems, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) stands as a vital crop for food security in Bangladesh, second only to rice in production. Yet, this essential crop faces mounting threats from insect pests and declining arthropod biodiversity. This study, conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University during the 2019–2020 Rabi season, explores how nature’s own networks use; through diversified cropping systems—can help restore ecological balance and reduce pest pressure in potato fields. Employing a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatments and three replications intercropping and border cropping combinations involving radish, groundnut, coriander, fenugreek, spinach and sweet potato were tested. Among them, border cropping with radish emerged as the most ecologically effective, reducing infestations of aphids by 67.71%, whiteflies by 75.41%, jassids by 29.68%, and epilachna beetles by over 75% compared to sole potato cropping. Border cropping with radish also fostered the richest arthropod community (Simpson’s D = 4.63; Evenness E = 0.93) and highest pollinator presence (124.33 honey bees/plant) at the mid-vegetative stage. Agronomically, it delivered the highest marketable yield (12.30 t/ha) and gross return (Tk 373,680/ha). Intercropping with groundnut and coriander also showed strong ecological and economic benefits. These results illustrate how aligning farming practices with ecological principles—by weaving nature’s network into crop planning—can strengthen pest regulation, enhance biodiversity, and boost farmer livelihoods. This study advocates for the adoption of such agro ecological strategies in Bangladesh and similar agro-climatic regions to build more resilient and sustainable farming systems.
Keywords: Potato, intercropping, border cropping, insect pest management, arthropod diversity, agro ecology, sustainable agriculture