Effect of Trap Crops to Reduce Infestation of Pests Melon in Khorasan Razavi (Short Communication)

Melon is a valuable crop in agriculture. Several pests are effective in reducing production. In order to reduce the use of chemical insecticides in melon fields and improve non-chemical methods, Kurkmelon (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) and Samsoori muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. reticulata) were chosen as a trap crop for some of pests. This research was carried out with randomized complete block design in three replications and various ratios of melon bushes to trap crops. The results showed that, trap crops were able to reduce the damage of all important melon pests according to the type and the number of trap crops in experimental plots and increased the amount of healthy product at 17.92-36.12% (13.9-30.76% for Baluchistan melon fly, 8.14-12.24% for lesser pumpkin fly and 5.67-8.69% for cucurbit weevil in comparison with check treatment.