Intercropping and Pest Management: A Review of Major Concepts

Intercropping is the agronomic practice of growing two or more crops in the same field at the same time (Andrews and Kassam 1976). Crops may be planted without regard to rows (mixed intercropping), in alternating rows, or with different crops alternating within the same row. Relay intercropping refers to the planting of one intercrop species before another so that their life cycles partially overlap (Kass 1978). The broader term “polyculture” includes intercropping but also encompasses combining crops and weeds intentionally and combining crops with beneficial noncrop plants, such as cover crops or nursery crops (Andow 1991a). Perrin and Phillips (1978) included mixtures of crop cultivars in their definition of intercropping, because such combinations may possess some of the advantages associated with conventional intercropping.