Development and evaluation of pneumatic trap cum electric swatter for the control of whitefly in cotton crop

The insecticides that are used to protect the crop from insects and pests not only pose a financial burden on the farmer but also affect human health and the environment. In this study, a prototype is developed and evaluated in the cotton crop to see the effect of various speeds and different locations of airstream in respect of the plant to control the population of adult whitefly. The percentage reduction in the population of the whitefly was found to be increased from 38% to 42% with the increase in the blower speed from 1800 to 4050 rpm. The field efficiency was found to be decreased from 87.90% to 74.92% with an increase in the forward speed from 1.74 to 4.19 km.h-1. The damage to the crop in the form of damage to branches and damage of flowers/bolls was found to be increased from 4.44% to 5.30% and 1.04% to 2.02% respectively, with the increase in the blower speed from 1800 to 4050 rpm.