Development of a solar-powered device for bloodworm control in rice fields.

The aim of this research is to develop a solar-powered device to control the bloodworm Chironomus spp. in rice fields instead of using harmful chemical pesticides. The developed control device uses clean solar energy and helps to protect the environment from pesticide pollution residuals. The developed control device generates a continuous high-voltage electrocution current under soil surface to exterminate adult bloodworms and larvae. The device is provided with a fully automated electronic control circuit, an electrocution generator, and a group of electrodes. Three factors were examined to assess the efficacy of the bloodworm control device. Four electrocution potential levels (8, 12, 16, and 20 kV) were tested. Additionally, three electrode depth levels (60, 120, and 180 mm) were examined with three operating periods (10, 20, and 30 minutes). The results show high significance bloodworm population reduction using the developed device, comparing with the chemical insecticide control treatment using Furadan (Carbofuran) 10% granular. The reduction percent in bloodworms reached 90.92% and 91.94% in adult bloodworms and larvae, respectively, at the highest levels of the tested variables. The operating costs of the device ranged from 25 to 40 USA $ ha-1, while the consumed energy ranged from 40 to 100 kW h ha-1 . The use of the solar-powered control device is effective in exterminating adult bloodworms and their larvae in a short time. So, it is recommended to use the solar-powered control device to exterminate the bloodworm in rice fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]