Alley cropping holds promise for increasing insect diversity and reducing pest problems by improving natural enemy complexes and adding competition to pest species. Experimental plots of traditionally-grown alfalfa and plots of alfalfa intercropped between rows of black walnut trees were sampled with sweep nets prior to each cutting date for the forage. Comparisons were made between treatments and sampling dates. Herbivore numbers were significantly lower and beneficial arthropod numbers were significantly higher in the more structurally complex alley cropped alfalfa plots than in the monoculture alfalfa plots over the growing season.
Species 1: Coleoptera Curculionidae Hypera postica (alfalfa weevil)
Keywords: biological diversity, argroforestry
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