Received: 05-09-2012 / Accepted: 28-11-2012
Intercropping of Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus Wall) into tea garden of cv. Kim Tuyen (1-3 years old) is aimed to increase the land coverage, create the favorable conditions for the tea growth and improve the farmers’ income. The impacts of mondo grass intercropping and seven fertilizing formulae on pest occurrence (diseases, insects and weeds) and plant damages were investigated. The major findings are: (i) 15 weed species were found in tea garden, (ii) Mondo grass intercropping can reduce the biomass of weeds in the tea garden, and (iii) The mondo grass is not the host plant of pests on tea. The intercropping of mondo grass led to changes in solar radiation, soil moisture and land coverage which favor pest occurrence and damage such as increasing the density and damage of Empoasca flaescens Fabr. & E. onukii Mats., Helopelthis theivora Waterh, and Colletotrichum camelliae Marasmius equinis Muler Derk. but reduce the density of Physothrips setiventris Bagn and Oligonychus coffeae Niet. on the tea plants.
