The "push" in the intercropping method is provided by the plants that emit chemicals (kairomones) which repel stemborer moths & drive them away from the main crop (maize or sorghum). The best candidates discovered so far with the repellent properties are species of leguminous genus Desmodium. Desmodium is planted in between the rows of maize or sorghum. Being a low-growing plant, it does not interfere with the crops' growth &, furthermore, has the advantage of maintaining soil stability, improving soil fertility through enhanced soil organic matter content & nitrogen fixation. It also serves as a highly nourishing animal feed & effectively suppresses striga weeds. Another plant showing lovely repellent properties is molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora), a nourishing animal feed with tick-repelling & stemborer larval parasitoid beautiful properties.
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