Abstract:

【Objective】 This paper was aimed to discuss the effects of intercropping aromatic plants on the arthropod community structure in the orchard of pear ‘Huangjin’.【Method】Mentha haplocalyx (Briq.var.piperascens Malinvaud) (Tr1), Tagetes patula L.(Tr2), Ocimum basilicum L. (Tr3) and natural sward (Tr4) intercropped in pear orchard were taken as four treatments and clean tillage (Tr5,CK) as control. The characteristics of arthropod community structure in different intercropping plots were surveyed and analyzed systematicly in the annual growth cycle of pear. 【Result】 The results showed that the characteristics of arthropod community structure were different in different aromatic plants intercropping plots, and no significant difference was found in the family number of arthropod community. However, there was a significant difference in the individual number of arthropod community with an increasing order followed by intercropping Tagetes patula L.(Tr2) and Mentha haplocalyx (Briq.var.piperascens Malinvaud) (Tr1)＜Ocimum basilicum L. (Tr3)＜natural grass (Tr4)＜mono-cultivated pear (Tr5,CK) (P＜0.01).The characteristics of different functional groups were different in five intercropping plots. Under the conditions of intercropping aromatic plants in pear orchard, the total family and individual number of these functional groups exhibited significant differences as well as the ratio of predators to pests (P＜0.05).The family number of arthropod community showed no significant difference in the same group, but the individuals number, Simpon index, diversity index and evenness were converse (P＜0.05). The individual number, Simpon index, diversity index and evenness of arthropod community were different at the growth stage of pear in five intercropping plots. Intercropping aromatic plants in pear orchard could significantly reduce the individual number of arthropod community, and the best effect was observed in the pear fruit enlargement period. 【Conclusion】 Therefore, intercropping aromatic plants in orchard have a certain degrees of benefit in to control the arthropod community structure through reducing pest number and increasing natural enemy number in pear orchard.

Key words: pear orchard, aromatic plants, arthropod, community and group structure