EFFECT OF FABA BEAN – CEREALS INTERCROPPING AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON THE INFESTATION BY THE LEAFMINER Liriomyza trifolii (BURGESS) ON FABA BEAN PLANTS.

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt over two winter seasons, 2006/07 and 2007/08, to evaluate the effect of faba bean-cereals intercropping and nitrogen fertilization on leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) infestation on two cultivars of faba bean Vicia faba. Level of leafminer infestation increased gradually from mid-December reaching maximum levels by the end of March. Larvae population increased gradually reaching a maximum level by mid-February, and then gradually decreased and completely disappeared by the end of March. Triticale intercropping with Faba bean, cv. Giza Blancka, and nitrogen fertilization (50 kg /Feddan) resulted in the lowest susceptibility to leafminer infestation during the first and second seasons. Wheat intercropping with faba bean, cv. Giza Blancka was the best treatment to reduce the population of leafminer larvae, while barley intercropping with faba bean, cv. Yossif El-Sediek resulted in the highest leafminer population.