Abstract
This study investigates the effect of planting maize and carrot as barrier crops around onion fields on the population dynamics of onion thrips (Thrips tabaci). Field experiments were conducted in 200 m² plots with three replications, and thrips counts were performed every 10 days from June 15 to July 10. The results showed that thrips density increased most sharply in the control plot without barriers—from 12 to 35 individuals. In the maize barrier plot, the increase was the lowest (from 5 to 13), while the carrot barrier plot showed a moderate rise (from 7 to 18). These findings indicate that barrier crops significantly reduce the migration of thrips into onion fields, with maize being the most effective due to its height and dense foliage. The research confirms that using barrier crops is an economically eficient and environmentally safe strategy for thrips management in onion production.