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Tomato and garlic planted around cabbage plants can control major insect pests like diamondback moth (DBM), Hellula, and cutworms, among others.

Researchers of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte, led by Dr. Miriam Pascua, found in a three-year study that companion planting with tomato or garlic results in higher marketable yields and net income on cabbage.

This strategy, called companion planting, tries to divert the insects from the main crop by presenting to them a more favorable substitute or a crop that would be deterrent to them, said Lucrecia Cocson and Lagrimas Flojo. It is also a very effective way of protecting environmental health and increasing farm productivity.

Results of the study showed that cabbage plus tomato combination significantly reduced the damages caused by Hellula and DBM. On the other hand, the cabbage plus garlic combination reduced cutworm damages.

Hellula is an insect that feeds on cabbage shoots at the early vegetative stage of the plants. Its damages come in either of two ways: one, the crop does not produce any head at all; two, the plants may produce multiple heads that are not marketable.

DBM larvae are voracious feeders on cabbage heads. This insect may cause farmers to lose 80 to 100 percent of their expected yield if left uncontrolled. Damaged cabbage heads become unmarketable.

Cocson and Flojo harvested a total cabbage head yield of 14.86 tons per hectare (t/ha) in the cabbage plus garlic combination, and 13.86 t/ha in the cabbage plus tomato combination.

source: The Philippine Star

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