Impact of Biopesticides Applied Alone and in Combination with Insecticides Using Drone and Taiwan Sprayer on Beneficial Fauna in Rice Ecosystem

Aims: To evaluate the impact of biopesticides and insecticides applied via drones and taiwan sprayers, on beneficials in rice cultivation. Study Design: Randomized Block Design (RBD). Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Kampasagar, Nalgonda, during the kharif, 2023. Methodology: The beneficial populations, specifically coccinellids and spiders, were monitored after two consecutive sprays. The population counts were recorded by following standardized sampling methods. Results: The analysis of results revealed that mean coccinellid populations ranged from 3.33 to 6.67 per ten hills across treatments, with the highest population observed in the untreated control (T19), followed by Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki 0.5% WP and insecticide combination treatments applied via drone. Spider populations demonstrated similar trends, with means ranging from 4.33 to 6.50, indicating non-significant differences across treatments. Drone spraying demonstrated better consistency in preserving natural enemy populations, likely due to precise droplet deposition and reduced pesticide drift. Conclusion: The study underscores the potential of drone technology as an eco-friendly, efficient application method, enabling better conservation of beneficial fauna in rice ecosystems.