Optimization of a Solar Light Trap for Controlling the Pest in Rice Field

Abstract

The use of chemical pesticides in the agricultural field is a common practice for pest management, which is hazardous for human health with the environment and often used more than the prescribed amount. The solar light trap as a renewable and environment-friendly device is more popular. This study was undertaken with a specific objective of selecting the appropriate light color, installation height, and operating power for the solar light trap where LED bulbs are used. Three solar light traps using three colors of bulbs (white, blue and yellow) were operated at three different powers, i.e.1-Watt, 2-Watt, and 2.5-Watt, and each of them was set at three different heights such as 1.0m, 1.25m, and 1.5m  in the light traps to find the best color, height, and power. A 3-watt white color bulb was also used for validation. Counting the number of friendly and harmful insects and analyzing the data optimization was discussed. With the increase of light power and height, the number of insects increased. White color performed the most efficient result at 1.5m height in all power treatments. 3W white bulb gives a more significant increase in the number of friendly insects, but an increase in the harmful and total number of insects remains non-significant. Where 2.5 watt gives less change in friendly insects with a significant increase in harmful and total numbers. Based on the number of trapping harmful and friendly insects, the optimum power of light was found 2.5 watts at 1.5 m height for white color.