DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2015.v02i05.008

Pages: 366-370

The study aiming in evaluating prospect of trap crop for controlling leafminers pest on onion crop has ben conducted in Palu valley, Central Sulawesi Indonesia. The study used a randomized block design with 3 species of trap crops (tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans) grown at different times (0, 2, and 4 weeks before planting shallots). Variable observed were population and infestation level of leafminers as well as diversity of leafminers and its parasitoids. The results showed that the treatment significantly reduce the infestation level of the pest. Population density of leafminers at control and shallots with tomatoes as trap crops plots were higher than the other treatments. The attack rate of the pest on onion crop with trap crops was significantly lower than those without trap crops regardless of the grown time of trap crops. Three species of leafminers and 5 parasitoids species were collected from trap and onion crops indicating that grown trap crop as a border surrounding the shallots was able to attract and preserve the natural enemies of leafminers and suppressing the pest infestation.