Pest Infestation of Dipterocarpus retusus (Blume) Fruit at Different Heights in KPHP BATULANTEH

Keruing gunung (Dipterocarpus retusus) is a non-timber forest product (NTFP) as a fruit producer that can be used as raw material for vegetable fats. One of the problems faced in planting programs for both production and conservation forests is the presence of fruit pests. The purpose of this study was to determine the fruit pests infestation fruits of D. retusus and the effect of altitude on fruit size and weight in Batulanteh Sumbawa. Fruit samples were collected at locations with different heights, namely below 1000 masl (T 22ºC, RH 83%) and above 1000 masl (T 20ºC, RH 88%). The samples of invading pests were observed and measured morphometry and morphology. The results showed that the insect infestation on the fruit was Alcidodes crassus. The percentage of fruit severity level reached more than 50% at each location. Elevation has a significant effect on fruit diameter and fruit weight, both infested by pests and whole fruit.

Evaluation of Promising Sunflower Hybrids against Whitefly, Jassid and Capitulum borer

Pakistan imports edible oil to meet the national demands posing burden on national exchequer. She is trying to grow edible oil crops to overcome this expense. Area under Sunflower cultivation is continuously increasing in Pakistan. But, insect pest infestation is a major concern for the growers. There is a need to develop hybrids which are less susceptible to the insect pests. Present study was conducted to find the most less susceptible Sunflower hybrids. Promising sunflower hybrids were grown and relevant data were recorded. All the hybrids were found moderately resistant to Resistant. This response is subject to the availability of insect population in the field and environment plays an integral role in it. There is dire need to explore the potential further of these hybrids. Keywords: Sunflower, Hybrid, Screening, Whitefly, Jassid, capitulum borer

False Ceiling Deterioration Detection and Mapping Using a Deep Learning Framework and the Teleoperated Reconfigurable ‘Falcon’ Robot

Periodic inspection of false ceilings is mandatory to ensure building and human safety. Generally, false ceiling inspection includes identifying structural defects, degradation in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, electrical wire damage, and pest infestation. Human-assisted false ceiling inspection is a laborious and risky task. This work presents a false ceiling deterioration detection and mapping framework using a deep-neural-network-based object detection algorithm and the teleoperated `Falcon’ robot. The object detection algorithm was trained with our custom false ceiling deterioration image dataset composed of four classes: structural defects (spalling, cracks, pitted surfaces, and water damage), degradation in HVAC systems (corrosion, molding, and pipe damage), electrical damage (frayed wires), and infestation (termites and rodents). The efficiency of the trained CNN algorithm and deterioration mapping was evaluated through various experiments and real-time field trials. The experimental results indicate that the deterioration detection and mapping results were accurate in a real false-ceiling environment and achieved an 89.53% detection accuracy.

Resistance status and the rate of resistance development in Musca domestica Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae) to permethrin and imidacloprid in Indonesia

A previous report has indicated that in many regions of Indonesia, populations of Musca domestica Linnaeus have shown very high resistance to permethrin and low resistance to imidacloprid. In this study, the resistance status to permethrin and imidacloprid was updated using a topical application and feeding bioassay. Six housefly strains originated from six highly populated cities in Indonesia, namely Serang (SRG), Jakarta (JKT), Bandung (BDG), Semarang (SMG), Yogyakarta (JOG), and Surabaya (SBY). A seventh strain (Danish Pest Infestation Laboratory (DPIL)) served as the control. Each strain was tested for resistance to the two insecticides. In addition, the rate of development of resistance to the two insecticides was measured over ten generations. The results indicated that all field strains showed very high resistance to permethrin. The highest resistance level recorded was in the SRG strain (RR50 = 2880), and the lowest was in the JKT strain (RR50 = 520). Repeated application of permethrin over ten generations increased the resistance level by about 2.7–32.73-fold as compared to the level of their respective parental populations. On the other hand, most strains showed low to moderate resistance to imidacloprid, in which the SRG strain had the highest resistance level (RR50 = 15.5) and the SBY strain had the lowest (RR50 = 2.0). Repeated application of imidacloprid over ten generations increased the resistance level by about 3.25–17.41-fold. The findings, which is the second report of housefly resistance in Indonesia since 2016, provide a crucial foundation for developing appropriate housefly integrated pest management strategies in highly populated areas in Indonesia.

Forewarning incidence of American boll worm (Heliothis armigera H.) of cotton at Akola in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra

A study on pest population of American boll worm (Heliothis armigera H.) in cotton crop as influenced by weather parameters like rainfall (RF), maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), morning relative humidity (RH I), evening relative humidity (RH II) and bright sunshine hours (BSS) and its statistical correlation was undertaken with data recorded at Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidhyapeeth, Akola. The maximum activity and damage due to high population of Heliothis was observed during 35th to 50th standard weeks. Maximum temperature (40th week) and minimum temperature (37th week), morning and evening relative humidity during 38th week play an important role in pest infestation during 40th standard week. Flowering to boll formation stages of the crop suffered heavy incidence of Heliothis. Critical weather parameters causing the outbreak of Heliothis in Akola was maximum temperature around 32 °C and minimum temperature around 23 °C, morning relative humidity below 88%, evening relative humidity below 60% and hours of bright sunshine above 6.5 hrs / day.

DISEASE IDENTIFICATION IN CROPS USING DEEP LEARNING MODELS

Food is one of the most fundamental necessities and is crucial for survival. Loss of the food source due to pest infestation attributes towards destroying one-fifth of the yearly worldwide crop yield. The past few decades have witnessed a burgeoning trend of using computerized methods for discerning various diseases found in crops. The main advantage of digitizing the detection process is that it eliminates the errors and miscalculations associated with manual detection. With the advent of Object Detection and Artificial Intelligence, malady detection has not only been rapid but has also maintained the expected level of accuracy. The concepts and models of deep learning have been efficaciously applied and used to identify as well as classify plant diseases. In the scope of this research paper, we present a comprehensive digitized approach to detect plant diseases by utilizing image detection, computer vision, and deep learning models like the Convolutional neural networks, Inception model, and the Visual Geometry Group (VGG16) model. In addition to this, the performance of the above-mentioned models has been evaluated by the virtue of metrics like f1 score, accuracy, precision, and recall.

Developments on the Bioactive Compounds and Food Uses of the Tubers: Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott (Taro) and Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L) Schott (Tannia)

Two varieties of Cocoyam Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott (Taro) and Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L) Schott (Tannia) are experiencing renewed interest not only in Africa but also in the rest of the world. They are considered to be cheaper sources of carbohydrates than cereals or other bulbous crops because of their high calorie yield per hectare, low production costs, and relatively low susceptibility to insect and pest infestation. In addition to their nutritional benefits, they contain bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, proteins, mucilage, polysaccharides, lipids and anti-polyphenol antioxidants. These bioactive compounds have been shown to provide consumers with health benefits such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and dyslipemic properties. Interestingly, you don't need to consume the raw tubers or leaves to get these numerous health benefits, as the different parts of the plants which are nutrient-dense, have been used in various food applications such as flour, chips, poi, syrup, weaning foods for babies, local delicacies, and starch production. These products compete favourably with products from other root and tuber crops. Therefore, this article describes various value-added products made from Cocoyam that can be consumed to reap the numerous health benefits associated with consuming Cocoyam.

Value Chain Analysis of Namgang Chilli: The Produce of Pakshikha, Chukha, Bhutan

Chilli is the most ubiquitous spice used in Bhutanese cuisine. Almost all dishes in Bhutan contain chillies in various forms. Bhutan produces many variants of chilli, one of which is Namgang chilli. Commonly known for being one of the hottest and tastiest variants in Bhutan, it is cultivated in Pakshikha, Bongo Gewog, Chukha. This study is aimed at identifying value chain actors of Namgang chilli, their roles, margins, and mapping out its overall value chain. The quantitative and qualitative data for this study were obtained from 29 of the 49 Namgang chilli-cultivating households in Pakshikha. Other published sources were also referred for gathering secondary data required for this study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and chain mapping was performed to identify actors and their supply linkages. Margin analysis was conducted to assess the value gained by each player in the value chain. The identified actors of the value chain were input suppliers, farmers, transporters, retailers, and consumers. Farmers, retailers, and transporters share 53.6, 28.7, and 5 percentage of the margin respectively. Some of the critical constraints and challenges faced by farmers are rising pest infestation; lack of awareness about modern tools and techniques; lack of agency support; lack of motivation and encouragement for mass commercial farming; no initiative for organizing farmers’ cooperative/group; and ack of crop protection mechanism. The findings suggest that the overall value chain of Namgang chilli is underdeveloped. Therefore, relevant agencies should intervene and encourage farmers to form groups/cooperatives for Namgang chilli cultivation. The chilli farmers could be provided with technical supports in the form of knowledge and training to improve efficiency in the production and marketing of the commodity.

EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF GROATS PRODUCED FROM RICE GRAINS OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES

Проведена оценка качественных показателей крупы, выработанной из зерна риса разных сортов и хранившейся в стандартных условиях, для определения ее класса. В качестве объектов исследования были 6 образцов крупы трех типов из зерна риса сортов Снежинка, Кураж, Регул, Лидер, Рапан и Сонет. Для получения объективных данных производили отбор средней пробы и определяли: органолептические показатели, влажность, содержание доброкачественного ядра, сорных примесей, испорченных и битых ядер, необрушенных зерен; пожелтевших, глютинозных и меловых ядер риса, ядер с красными полосками и красных, а также кислотность крупы и зараженность вредителями. Класс рисовой крупы определяли в соответствии с требованиями ГОСТ 6292–93. Установлено, что все исследованные образцы рисовой крупы по органолептическим и физико-химическим показателям соответствуют нормативным требованиям, что косвенно подтверждает отсутствие нарушений при ее хранении. Крупы из зерна риса сортов Снежинка, Лидер и Рапан по качественным показателям отнесены к рисовой крупе высшего класса и рекомендованы для детского питания. Рисовые крупы из сортов Кураж, Регул и Сонет по содержанию дробленого зерна и меловым ядрам превышали норму, установленную для рисовой крупы высшего класса, поэтому отнесены к первому классу. The evaluation of the quality indicators of groats produced from rice grains of different varieties and stored under standard conditions was carried out to determine its class. The objects of the study were 6 samples of three types of groats from rice grain varieties Snezhinka, Kurazh, Regul, Lider, Rapan and Sonet. The average sample was taken to obtain objective data and determined: organoleptic parameters, humidity, the content of a benign kernel, weed impurities, spoiled and broken kernels, unbroken rice grains; yellowed, glutinous and chalky rice kernels, kernels with red stripes and red, acidity of cereals, pest infestation. The class of rice cereals was determined in accordance with the requirements of GOST 6292–93. It was found that all the studied samples of rice groats according to organoleptic and physico-chemical parameters comply with regulatory requirements, which indirectly confirms the absence of violations of its storage conditions. Cereals made from rice grains of the Snezhinka, Lider and Rapan varieties are classified by quality indicators as high-class rice cereals and are recommended for baby food. Сereals made from rice varieties Kurazh, Regul and Sonet in terms of the content of crushed grain and chalk kernels exceeded the norm established for rice cereals of the highest class, therefore they are classified as the first class.

Pests of Sonneratia caseolaris seedlings in the mangrove restoration area nursery of Berbak-Sembilang National Park and its damage

Sonneratia caseolaris is one of the mangrove species that is widespread in Indonesia. It has important ecological functions to protect coastal foreshores. However, the S. caseolaris seedlings are rarely to be planted in mangrove restoration projects. One of the challenges in producing many S. caseolaris seedlings for mangrove restoration projects is pest infestation. However, the information on those pests is still limited. This study aimed to identify S. caseolaris pests that hinder the successfulness of cultivation. The incidence and intensity of pest infestation on S. caseolaris seedlings have also been assessed. This research was carried out in the nursery of the mangrove restoration area of Berbak-Sembilang National Park. The results showed that insect and rodentia were two major groups found infested S. caseolaris seedlings. Three species of insect pests were identified, namely Pteroma plagiophleps, Ooecophylla sp., and Sexava sp. The incidence and severity of P. plagiophleps, Ooecophylla sp., and Sexava sp. infestation were 16.38%; 21.02%; 6.68%; and 30.83%; 42.67%, 25.83%, respectively. For rodentia pest, the Rattus sp. was the only species found to infest the plant, with an incidence of 16.67%. These all pests significantly affect the growth performance of S. caseolaris seedlings.