Design and Construction of a Pneumatic-thermal Machine for Controlling Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
Title:
Design and Construction of a Pneumatic-thermal Machine for Controlling Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
Author:
Mohammadali Haddad. Derafshi
Appeared in:
Journal of applied sciences
Paging:
Volume 6 (2006) nr. 4 pages 919-925
Year:
2006
Contents:
Because of the important role of the Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) on the economy of potato production in most countries, a review of different methods of the insect control, especially mechanical approaches, has been done. Over the years, CPB has become resistant to most of the chemical pesticides and moreover, heavy application of these chemicals has lead to serious environmental problems. As a mechanical approach, a prototype pneumatic-thermal machine was designed and manufactured. This is a 4-row tractor mounted machine consisting of 4 centrifugal fans powered by the tractor PTO and propane supplied burners. The test results of this machine showed that, with ground speed of 5 km h<sup>-1, .5 ha of the field could be covered within 1 hour. In the air velocity of 29.33 m s<sup>-1, the dislodged rate of CPB adults and larvae were estimated to be 95 and 85%, respectively. Propane consumption at 310 kPa pressure, when the ground speed was 5 km h<sup>-1, was calculated to be 21 kg ha<sup>-1. Overall, in countries where relatively cheaper fuel is available, this method of CPB control is, undoubtedly, both feasible and economical.
Publisher:
Asian Network for Scientific Information, Pakistan (provided by DOAJ)
Journal description