Organic Habanero Pepper (Capsicum chinense): Effect of Intercropping Marigold (Tagetes erecta) and Mulching with Sawdust on Controlling the White Fly (Bemisia tabaci) and Root-knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)

After the tomato, the habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) is the second most harvested horticultural crop of the Yucatan Peninsula, showing a continuous rise of production. Recently, organic pepper production has also benefited from this boom, but the mostly small-scaled outdoor producers are facing high prices and restricted access to commercial organic products. Furthermore, they are confronted with two harmful parasites, the white fly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). A nematicide effect of the marigold is proven for Capsicum spp. However, there were no explicit recommendations concerning the habanero pepper. There is a single study that indicates mulching with sawdust (among other agroecological benefits) aids in controlling white fly. Therefore, in this trial, two organic pest management strategies that are preventive and based on local resources were evaluated for their effectiveness in controlling white fly and Meloidogyne spp.  In 2009, a trial in José María Morelos (central Yucatan Peninsula) evaluated the effect of four agroecosystem-arrangements during a cropping season of habanero pepper: sawdust mulching and intercropping of marigold,; only mulching; only intercropping marigold; and a control variant. Pest and weed management were based on organic farming principles. Fertilization was based on cow manure. Selective weed management was carried manually. Drip irrigation was used. The evaluation consisted in daily monitoring of selected plants and yellow traps within the rows (white fly) and evaluation of nematode-infestation on pepper roots after the cropping period.    Results showed that intercropping marigolds contributes significantly to controlling root-knot nematodes. Mulching with sawdust increases the effectiveness of this treatment. Neither treatment (or their combination) showed any impact on Bemisia tabaci population. As for organic pepper production on the Yucatan Peninsula, soil covering with an organic layer and intercropping of marigold are successful strategies, not only for maintaining soil humidity, facilitating weed control, and increasing agrobiodiversity; but also for controlling harmful root-knot nematodes.