Diversity and Population Dynamics of Insect Pests of Mustard Crop in Hot Arid Region of Rajasthan
At a Glance
Section titled âAt a Glanceâ| Metadata | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2023-10-06 |
| Journal | Annals of Arid Zone |
| Authors | Sugan Chand Meena, Nisha Patel, Archana Sanyal, Anil Patidar, R. Saranya |
| Institutions | Central Arid Zone Research Institute |
| Citations | 1 |
| Analysis | Full AI Review Included |
Executive Summary
Section titled âExecutive SummaryâThis investigation analyzed the diversity and population dynamics of insect pests, primarily the mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi), infesting mustard crops in the hot arid region of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, correlating findings with local meteorological data.
- Major Pest Identification: The mustard aphid was confirmed as the major pest among the 10 species recorded (including painted bug, leaf miner, DBM, and white fly).
- Irrigation Impact on Density: Aphid population density was nearly double in irrigated fields (canal: 127.13 aphids plant-1; tube well: 111.11 aphids plant-1) compared to rainfed areas (54.58 aphids plant-1).
- Peak Infestation Period: Peak aphid populations consistently occurred during the 6th to 9th Standard Week (SW), corresponding to the first or second fortnight of February.
- Positive Weather Correlation: Aphid population showed significant positive correlation (r=0.64 to 0.89, pooled data) with mean maximum temperature, mean minimum temperature, mean sunshine hours, and rainfall.
- Negative Humidity Correlation: A significant negative correlation (r=-0.71, pooled data) was established between aphid population and mean maximum relative humidity (RH).
- Diversity Index: The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (Hâ) was highest in rainfed areas (0.76), indicating greater species evenness compared to canal (0.13) and tube well (0.23) irrigated areas.
Technical Specifications
Section titled âTechnical SpecificationsâThe following table summarizes the key quantitative data extracted from the study, focusing on pest dynamics and meteorological correlations.
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Aphid Count (Canal Irrigated) | 127.13 | aphids plant-1 | Second fortnight of February (8th-9th SW) |
| Peak Aphid Count (Rainfed Area) | 54.58 | aphids plant-1 | Second fortnight of February (8th-9th SW) |
| Relative Density (RD%) - Canal | 41.47 | % | Highest proportion of aphids relative to total pests |
| Shannon Diversity Index (Hâ) - Rainfed | 0.76 | N/A | Highest species diversity index recorded |
| Pooled Correlation (r) - Max Temperature | 0.64 | N/A | Significant positive correlation with aphid population |
| Pooled Correlation (r) - Rainfall | 0.89 | N/A | Positive correlation, used for predictive modeling |
| Pooled Correlation (r) - Max Relative Humidity | -0.71 | N/A | Significant negative correlation with aphid population |
| Minimum Yield Reduction Estimate | 15.0 | % | Loss attributed to mustard aphids, thrips, and whitefly |
| Maximum Yield Reduction Estimate | 73.3 | % | Loss attributed to mustard aphids, thrips, and whitefly |
Key Methodologies
Section titled âKey MethodologiesâThe investigation utilized a fixed plot survey approach across 10 farmer-owned fields in Jaisalmer, categorized by irrigation type, to establish pest diversity and population dynamics relative to weather parameters.
- Study Location and Period: The study was conducted in the Jaisalmer district (hyper arid, partially irrigated western plain) during the Rabi seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21.
- Habitat Selection: Ten fields were selected within an 80 km radius, comprising three rainfed fields, four tube well irrigated fields, and three canal irrigated fields.
- Sampling Protocol: A fixed plot survey approach was adopted, with observations recorded at fortnightly intervals.
- Pest Quantification: At five spots within each field, three plants (total 15 plants per field) were randomly examined for the incidence of different insect pests.
- Diversity Calculation: The Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H) was calculated using the formula: H = ÎŁ - (Pi Ă ln Pi), where Pi is the proportion of individuals of the i-th species in the community.
- Meteorological Data Integration: Weather parameters (temperature, RH, sunshine hours, rainfall) were sourced from the agro-meteorology unit at ICAR-CAZRI, Chandan, and correlated with aphid population data using correlation coefficient (r) analysis.
Commercial Applications
Section titled âCommercial ApplicationsâWhile the core research is agricultural entomology, the findings provide critical data for engineering solutions in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and materials durability in arid zones.
- IoT Sensor Deployment: The established correlations (especially with temperature and RH) necessitate the deployment of robust, high-accuracy IoT sensor arrays for micro-climatic monitoring in arid agricultural environments. These sensors must be engineered for high reliability under extreme temperature fluctuations (e.g., 10.6 °C minimum to 24.7 °C maximum during peak infestation).
- Predictive Modeling Software: Development of machine learning and predictive analytics platforms that integrate real-time weather feeds and the derived correlation coefficients (r=0.64 for Max Temp, r=-0.71 for Max RH) to provide timely, localized alerts for pest control (Integrated Pest Management, IPM).
- Automated Irrigation Control: Engineering control systems for tube well and canal irrigation that can modulate water delivery based on pest risk, mitigating the observed effect where higher irrigation levels correlate with significantly increased aphid density.
- Materials Durability for Arid Zones: Components used in field equipment, drones, and sensor housings must withstand high UV exposure and dust abrasion typical of the hyper-arid zone. This drives demand for advanced, durable materials (e.g., high-performance polymers or ceramic coatings).
- 6ccvd.com Relevance: The requirement for highly durable, thermally stable electronic components (sensors, communication modules) operating in harsh arid environments suggests potential applications for materials produced via Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), such as high-purity SiC or CVD diamond, known for superior thermal management and environmental resilience.
View Original Abstract
An investigation was carried out on the diversity of insect pests of mustard and influence of weather parameters.Survey and surveillance data were recorded from the 10 fields under mustard cultivation located in a radius of 80 km in Jaisalmer district during Rabi 2019-20 and 2020-21.Mustard in these fields was grown either as rainfed (three fields) or irrigated (four with tube well and three with canal water) crop.The data from one site was also used to find out correlation between mustard aphid population and weather parameters.Data on different insects infesting the mustard crop, namely aphid, painted bug, cabbage looper, leaf miner, diamond back moth, white fly, jassid, black flea beetle, mustard saw fly and flower weevil were recorded.Appearance of winged aphid started after one month of sowing [45 th -46 th Standard Week (SW)].The aphid population on crop remained negligible up to second fortnight of December.Population buildup started in first fortnight of January and peaked in February.It was observed that in rainfed areas the aphid reached to peak population of 54.58 aphids plant -1 in second fortnight of February (8 th -9 th SW) while in tube well and canal irrigated area the peak population was nearly double of the rainfed areas.In tube well irrigated areas the peak reached earlier than in rainfed areas while in canal irrigated areas population peaked at the same time as in rainfed areas.Relative density was highest (41.47%) in canal area followed by tube well (36.91%) and rainfed area (21.62%).The aphid population showed significant positive correlation with maximum temperature and positive correlation with minimum temperature, sunshine hours and rainfall.Although rainfall showed positive correlation but remained of minor significance.Aphid population showed negative and significant negative correlation with minimum and maximum relative humidity.