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 |
Technical Documentation & Analysis: Advanced CVD Diamond for Environmental Sensing in Arid Zones
Section titled âTechnical Documentation & Analysis: Advanced CVD Diamond for Environmental Sensing in Arid ZonesâThis document analyzes the research on insect pest dynamics in arid agriculture and outlines how 6CCVDâs specialized Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond materials provide critical solutions for advanced environmental monitoring, high-power sensing, and thermal management required for next-generation agricultural technology (AgriTech).
Executive Summary
Section titled âExecutive Summaryâ- The research details the population dynamics of the mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) in the hyper-arid region of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, identifying it as the major pest causing significant yield loss.
- Aphid populations showed a significant positive correlation with mean maximum temperature (r=0.64 pooled) and a significant negative correlation with maximum relative humidity (r=-0.71 pooled).
- Peak infestation levels were observed in February, with the highest relative density (41.47%) occurring in canal-irrigated areas, highlighting the need for precise, localized environmental control and monitoring.
- This study underscores the necessity for robust, high-reliability sensor platforms capable of operating in harsh, high-temperature, high-UV arid environments for timely pest prediction and management.
- 6CCVD specializes in providing high-purity Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) for optical windows and Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) for electrochemical sensing, offering unparalleled durability and performance for AgriTech and environmental research applications.
- Our custom CVD diamond solutions enable superior thermal management and chemical inertness, ensuring long-term reliability for field-deployed analytical equipment.
Technical Specifications
Section titled âTechnical SpecificationsâThe following table extracts key environmental and biological parameters from the study, framing them as technical challenges addressable by 6CCVD diamond materials.
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Context (Relevance to Diamond Solutions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Aphid Density (Canal Area) | 127.13 | aphids plant-1 | High biological load requiring non-fouling, chemically inert sensor surfaces (e.g., BDD electrodes). |
| Pooled Correlation (Aphid vs. Max Temp) | 0.64 | Correlation Coefficient (r) | High ambient temperatures in arid zones necessitate diamond heat spreaders for thermal management of electronics. |
| Pooled Correlation (Aphid vs. Max RH) | -0.71 | Correlation Coefficient (r) | Environmental variability demands durable, moisture-resistant sensor windows and housing (CVD Diamond). |
| Study Location Environment | Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | N/A | Hyper-arid, high-UV environment requiring UV-transparent and radiation-hard optical materials (SCD/PCD). |
| Mustard Yield Loss Potential | 15.0 to 73.3 | % | Economic driver for investing in high-precision, reliable diamond-based sensors for early detection. |
| Required Sensor Lifetime | Multi-season | N/A | Diamondâs extreme hardness and chemical resistance ensure long operational life in abrasive field conditions. |
Key Methodologies
Section titled âKey MethodologiesâThe experimental design emphasizes field deployment and correlation analysis, requiring highly reliable components for data acquisition in remote, challenging locations.
- Study Location and Scope: Investigation conducted across 10 farmer-owned fields (rainfed, tube well, canal irrigated) within an 80 km radius of Jaisalmer, India (Agro-climatic zone Ic).
- Sampling Protocol: Fixed plot survey approach with observations taken at fortnightly intervals from five spots per field, examining three plants per 1 m2 area.
- Data Collection: Recording of Mean Density (MD), Relative Density (RD%), and Shannon-Weiner diversity index (Hâ) for 10 insect pest species.
- Environmental Correlation: Aphid population correlated with meteorological data (Max/Min Temperature, Max/Min Relative Humidity, Sunshine Hours, Rainfall) sourced from the ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute.
- Peak Infestation Timing: Population buildup started in the first fortnight of January and peaked in February (6th-9th Standard Week).
6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities
Section titled â6CCVD Solutions & Capabilitiesâ6CCVD provides the specialized CVD diamond materials necessary to build the next generation of robust, high-performance sensors and analytical tools required to replicate and extend this type of environmental research into predictive AgriTech solutions.
Applicable Materials
Section titled âApplicable Materialsâ| 6CCVD Material | Application Focus | Technical Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) | Electrochemical Sensing, Water Quality Monitoring, Pesticide Detection | Widest electrochemical window, superior stability, and resistance to fouling in complex soil/water matrices. |
| Optical Grade Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) | High-Power Spectroscopy (Raman, FTIR), UV/IR Windows | Exceptional transparency from UV (230 nm) to Far-IR, crucial for non-destructive analysis of plant health and stress. |
| Thermal Grade Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) | Heat Spreaders, High-Power Electronics Substrates | Highest known thermal conductivity (up to 2000 W/mK), essential for cooling high-resolution cameras and LiDAR used in field monitoring. |
Customization Potential
Section titled âCustomization Potentialâ6CCVDâs in-house manufacturing capabilities directly address the unique material requirements of advanced field instrumentation:
- Custom Dimensions: We supply PCD plates/wafers up to 125mm diameter and SCD plates up to 500”m thick, suitable for large-area sensor arrays or robust optical windows. Substrates up to 10mm thick are available for structural applications.
- Precision Polishing: We guarantee ultra-low surface roughness, achieving Ra < 1nm on SCD and Ra < 5nm on inch-size PCD, critical for minimizing scattering losses in optical systems and ensuring reproducible sensor performance.
- Custom Metalization Services: We offer internal deposition of standard and custom metal stacks (Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, Cu) for creating reliable electrical contacts on BDD electrodes or for robust bonding of diamond heat spreaders to electronic packages.
- Thickness Control: We provide SCD and PCD layers with precise thickness control (0.1”m to 500”m), allowing optimization for specific thermal or optical transmission requirements.
Engineering Support
Section titled âEngineering Supportâ6CCVDâs in-house PhD team offers authoritative professional support, assisting engineers and scientists in selecting the optimal diamond grade and geometry for demanding applications. We can assist with material selection for similar Environmental Sensing and AgriTech projects, ensuring diamond properties are leveraged for maximum performance and longevity in harsh field conditions.
Call to Action: For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.
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.