Effect of border crops and intercropping on aphid infestation and the associated viral diseases in hot pepper (Capsicum sp.)

Aphids are associated with loss in yield and quality of pepper crop due to damage they cause the transmission viruses a non-persistent manner. The aim study was determine potential border crops intercrops management aphids hot production. Field experiments were carried out for two seasons 2018/2019 at Rubona Research station, Huye District, Rwanda. Maize (Zea Mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) sunflower (Helianthus annuus) tested as companion either or intercrops. Randomized complete block design used four treatments three replications per experiment. Data on aphid population, virus disease incidence, area under progress curve (AUDPC), growth recorded. Diseased leaf samples collected analysed serologically detect present experimental plots. Aphid-transmitted viruses; Cucumber mosaic virus, Potato Y Pepper veinal mottle species, namely Aphis gossypii Macrosiphum euphorbiae identified use maize, significantly reduced (p < 0.05) incidence viral diseases compared control later stages growth. At 12 weeks after transplanting (WAP), by 24%, 31% 38% season one 32%, 54% 46% two. Similarly, intercropping also effective reducing 35% 27% one, 39%, 39% 32% two, respectively. AUDPC differed while population did not differ > among both experiments. Results revealed that can be utilized This technology is environmentally friendly, easily adaptable appropriate since production mainly done resource-poor farmers.