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Subject: Climate Change Adaptation × Author: Aneesha, V × Author: KAU × End date: 2016 × Start date: 2010 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Efficacy of electrostatic sprayer on crop pest management and pesticide use
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2016) Aneesha, V; KAU; Dhalin, D
    International pressure is increasing on India to adopt a more pro-active role in greenhouse gas emission. Hence it is important to develop a clear understanding of our emission inventory towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Pesticide application play a major role in the greenhouse gas emission. Environmental hazards associated with pesticides results from over application and off-target movement of toxic pesticides from inefficient spray application. The introduction of electrically charged sprays for agricultural application can provide greater control of droplet transport with impending reduction of wastage. The study aims to find out the efficacy of electrostatic sprayer on pest control in comparison with mist blower and air compression sprayer. Six pests were viz. pumpkin beetle, cowpea aphid, curcurbit fruit fly, brinjal mealy bug, caterpillar and chilli mite were selected based on specific characteristics viz. integumental, movement and ecological niche. Energy use efficiency in production and application of pesticides used by different sprayers for the control of selected pests were quantified based on application efficiency of sprayers, Pre and Post pest count and the reoccurrence of pest infestation after spray. The greenhouse gas emission for the total energy usage for the corresponding quantity of pesticide were computed for all the selected sprayers. The energy use efficiency of electrostatic sprayer was found to be 1.5 times more than that of mist blower and 2 times more than that of air compression sprayers. In the chemical usage by electrostatic sprayer was reduced by 65 %, and that of knapsack mist blower was 35 % with air compression sprayers. The corresponding greenhouse gas emission was only 20 % for electrostatic sprayer and 65 % for powered mist blower than that of air compression sprayers. The post pest count was almost nil in all the categories of pest while applying with electrostatic sprayer and the reoccurrence of the pest to the threshold level was minimum. This contribute a significant reduction in emission of CO2 when it considered globally, ultimately contribute in mitigation of global warming.