(Invited) Sensors for Agricultural Pests Management

Abstract

Pests are undesired living organisms which cause major threat to plants, animals, humans and other organisms. It can directly feed on the crops and indirectly spread diseases and decrease the productivity of plants. Traditionally we have been using pesticides to get rid of them, but these pesticides are chemicals which tend to accumulate in the soil and water and pose detrimental effects to all the living creatures. To reduce the major loss in food production and use of chemical pesticides, we have come up with a few innovative approaches to control pests and also detect the toxic pesticides in an easy, affordable and eco-friendly way using sensors. We had developed sensors for effective use of biopesticides such as Helicoverpa armigera nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HaNPV), Spodoptera litura nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SlNPV) and Spilosoma obliqua nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SpilNPV). We had also designed a silicon dioxide-based microelectro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensors as tool for an early selective pest detection of female sex pheromones of Helicoverpa armigera and Bactrocera oleae. This robust device can also be used to selectively measure the pheromone at femtogram levels, and it is handy for early detection of pests. The device works well in both rainy and peak summer seasons. Using these systems farmers can take necessary measures in the pest attack region without using pesticides and would be able to support organic farming.