HQ - AINP ON VERTEBRATE PEST MANAGEMENT
- Rodent pest diversity of Cold Arid Zone of India and impact of change in land use due to canalization on rodent pest distribution hot arid zone of Western Rajasthan.
- Feasibility of Trap Barrier System for rodent management in rice crop.
- Molecular studies for the identification of four Rattus species viz., R. ranjiniae (an Endemic sp.), R. rattus, R. r. wroughtoni and R. norvegicus completed.
- Standardized techniques in utilization nest boxes and perches for predatory birds in reducing insect and rodent pests.
- Microcapsule formulation of Cinnamic aldehyde a potential rodent repellent in storage developed.
- The ready-to-use stable synthetic pheromone (acetophenone) based zinc phosphide bait with more shelf life.
- "Squirrel net guard" made of plastic net (mesh size: 3mm) fitted on wooden frames, should be erected at 450 angle around the coconut trunk at 8 feet height above the aerial route + trapping with local trap, for the reduction of squirrel damage in coconut in Assam.
- Successful breeding of Barn owl was achieved inside artificial wooden nest boxes designed by AINP on VPM, RARS, North-Lakhimpur for eco-friendly Rodent Management in Assam, NE India
- LPG gas based self-propelled blasting machine (Gas canon) operated as single blast of 100-125 decibels at 60 second interval in intermitting mode to repel the birds from crop field
- Repellent formulation named as BoRep and DeeRep against boar and deer developed.
- Bio-acoustics, Agri-canon and Agri-solar gadgets for effective management of wild herbivores in field & horticultural crops.
- Technology Commercialized
| S.No. | Technology | Centre |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agri–Canon (For scaring monkeys and birds) | PJTSAU, Hyderabad |
| 2 | Kethi Rakshak-18 (wild boar) | |
| 3 | Agri Solar and fencing | |
| 4 | BoRep | KAU, Thrissur |
| 5 | DeeRep | |
| 6 | Metalized Reflective Ribbon | |
| 7 | Local Trap – Andur Chitika | AAU, Jorhat |
| S.No. | Technologies | Centre |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Integrated IoT-Based Bio-acoustic solution for deterring animals from agricultural crop fields | PJTSAU, Hyderabad |
| 2 | Indigenous Manual and Fully Automated Agri-Canon for deterring monkeys and birds from agricultural crop fields | |
| 4 | BoRep for wild boar | KAU, Thrissur |
| 5 | DeeRep for deer | |
| 6 | Metalized reflective ribbon for birds | |
| 7 | Rodenticide applicator | |
| 8 | Laser-based animal repeller | |
| 9 | Ready-to-use stable 1.6% zinc phosphide bait | PAU, Punjab |
| 10 | Contraceptive bait based on quinestrol (a synthetic estrogen) nanoparticles |
Centres - AINP ON VERTEBRATE PEST MANAGEMENT
- Recommendation of LPG gas based self-propelled blasting machine (Gas canon) operated as single blast of 100-125 decibels at 60 second interval in continuous mode is effective to repel the birds from the one acre area. For better efficiency, the gas canon should be installed 1 m above the crop height in down wind direction and operated as and when required.
- Recommendation of two jute strings tied parallel to the ground at 1 ft and 1.5 ft on the periphery of the crop to prevent entry of Indian Peafowl into the crop field.
- Recommendation of “T” shaped birds perches to promote activity of insectivorous birds to suppress the larval population of tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner).
- Recommendation of barbed wire fence on farm periphery with chain linked net pushing inside ground to restrict the entry of wild boar in field.
- Recommendation to grow Pilu – Salvadora persica plants in the hedge around their crop field to retain insectivorous birds in the agricultural landscape over a longer period to the farmers of Central Gujarat, North Gujarat, Kachchh and Saurashtra.
- To prevent damage in guava by rose ringed parakeet, bagging of premature fruits with butter paper bag (20 × 24 cm) is recommended.
- Subsidy from GoG is allotted for installing barbed wire fencing on farm periphery with posting cement poles at 10' (3.05 m) interval and tie 7 parallel rows of barbed wire one above other and 2 rows diagonally crossing each other at center between two adjoining poles to restrict boar (Sus scrofa) entering into crop field. Tie parallel rows of barbed wires, starting from 6" (15.24 cm) above ground, lower 4 rows 8" (20.32 cm) apart and upper 3 rows 12" (30.48 cm) apart. By replacing lower 3 rows of barbed wire with chain linked net pushing 6" (15.24 cm) inside ground can increase the effectiveness.
- Under TSP training programmes (26) training were organized in tribal area.
- In western Rajasthan, T. indica – Meriones hurrianae and M. meltada constituted the rodent pest complex of arable crops.
- Long-term study surveys in the three major systems viz., Horticulture, Silvi-pasture and Agri-pasture at CR Farm revealed the presence of eight species viz., T. indica, F. pennanti, R. rattus, Hystrix indica, G. ellioti, R. rattus, M. musculus, M. booduga. T. indica was predominant in the area. The true xeric species like M. hurrianae, Gerbillus gleadowi, G. nanus and Mus cervicolor were not trapped from the area. The fruit orchards (horticulture) recorded higher rodent population followed by agri-pasture and silvi-pasture fields.
- Diversity of rodent pest in Cold Arid Zone of Leh to understand the altitudinal distribution and pestilence of rodents in fields and storage and some aspects of rodent biology and behavior was attempted for the first time. In all, six species of rodents were reported from agricultural fields, grasslands, and storage in the weight range of 10–7000g across the altitude.
- Indian field mice, Mus booduga, was reported for the first time from Leh, which was the major pest in agricultural fields and storage.
- Change in land use pattern from rain-fed to irrigated cropping in the Narmada Canal Command area has shown replacement of xeric species viz., Gerbillus gleadowi and Meriones hurrianae with more aggressive sub-mesic and mesic species (Mus booduga, Nesokia indica, Millardia meltada and Golunda ellioti) and commensal species (Rattus rattus and Mus musculus).
- Two mesic species, M. booduga and N. indica, were recorded for the first time from the area. Presence of mesic species in the area increases the damage to agricultural crops.
- The rodents are a major hurdle in arid horticulture. Pomegranate and date palm, the two upcoming horticultural crops of the arid region, suffered up to 16 percent. Integration of Netting + Trapping + Burrow Baiting, where netting of the field using bird net in a way to deny access to squirrels, along with trapping and burrow baiting twice during the critical period (i.e. from flowering to harvesting stage), proved to be the best practice for rodent management in the arid horticulture system.
- Treatment with zinc phosphide 2.5% in baits at the vegetative growth stage of groundnut in the peripheral region of the crop and adjoining bunds, followed by bromadiolone (0.005%) in baits on day four and again at the maturity stage on day 60 after first treatment, is best for rodent control in groundnut crop in arid regions.
- Novel rodenticide molecules, viz., flocumafen, difenacoum (0.005%) and zinc phosphide (40%) were found effective against pest rodents under lab and field conditions.
- Two technologies on rodent control included in POP.
- “Squirrel net guard” made of plastic net (mesh size: 3mm) fitted on wooden frames should be erected at 45° angle around the coconut trunk at 8 feet height above the aerial route, along with trapping using a local trap, for the reduction of Dremomys lokriah damage in coconut in Assam.
- Management of Rhesus macaque in crop ecosystem by using the treatment combination of Parasuit nets + bhut jolokia baiting + agri-cannon (at vulnerable stage).
- Five technologies included in state PoP during the reporting period.
- 185 bird species recorded in the agricultural landscape of Assam so far. Maximum bird species (56) were recorded from paddy crop during different growth stages, followed by homestead gardens (43) and mustard crop (17).
- Indian Peafowl was recorded for the first time in Northeast India in Narayanguri in Baksa district near Manas National Park. Swamp Francolin was recorded in Baksa, Biswanath, and Golaghat, while Bengal Florican and Blue-breasted Quail were observed in Baksa.
- Agri-solar fencing developed by the project was very effective against monkey damage in the Northeast region.
- Successful breeding of Barn Owl was achieved inside artificial wooden nest boxes designed by AINP on VPM, RARS, North-Lakhimpur, and recommended in the state PoP as a component of integrated eco-friendly rodent management in Assam, NE India.
- Bandicota bengalensis and Mus booduga were the predominant species in deep water rice fields, whereas Mus musculus dominated in rice storage structures.
- Documented 9 traditional knowledge methods for controlling harmful birds in different crops, along with their effects.
- BoRep, a safe and eco-friendly olfactory repellent developed by AINPVPM, KAU Centre, effectively deters wild boars and monkeys by masking crop odours, protecting over 30,000 acres of farmer’s fields across South India over the past five years without harming wildlife.
- DeeRep, an olfactory repellent developed by the centre, effectively protects rubber plantations and other crops from Sambar deer damage by applying a 50 ml/L solution to border plants or tying soaked cloth to trees, safeguarding 250 acres over five years with 50 liters supplied to farmers.
- The centre manufactures three kinds of reflective ribbon, i.e. scarlet red, golden yellow, and hologram types, which deters depredatory birds through sudden light flashes and wind induced humming, with 10,000 rolls (each 100 m long) distributed over five years to protect 1,000 acres of crops at 10 rolls per acre.
- Over the past five years, the Centre has produced and supplied 15 litres of non-lethal Bio Bird Repellent, an irritant targeting birds' trigeminal nerves at a 2% spray rate, effectively protecting 60 acres of crops from bird damage.
- The centre has provided technical support for manufacturing portable, automatic cracker station that intermittently bursts conventional firecrackers to scare animals and birds within a 500 m radius.
- To deter purple moorhens in Pokkali and Kole rice fields, the Centre developed solar-powered flickering lights that emit intermittent night-time flashes to scare birds from roosting, supplying 50 units over five years for farmer-led field evaluation.
- To ease the labour of applying rodenticide in coconut plantations, the Centre developed a manually/battery-operated, telescopic applicator with a lightweight aluminium alloy pole and a 12V-powered delivery system, capable of reaching palm crowns up to 11.6 m high.
- To prevent wild boar intrusion, farmers are successfully using the modified nylon net fencing introduced by the centre, made of UV-stabilized HDP with 2" mesh and 1.5 mm thickness installed 4 feet high on poles and 3 feet trailing on the ground, which entangles intruding animals and triggers alarm calls that deter others.
- The Centre developed nesting designs for barn owls, effective in controlling rodents across 25 acres of crop lands and took part in successful introduction of three breeding pairs in Lakshadweep's Kavaratti Island, expanding the program to other islands.
- To deter wild animals and depredatory birds, the Centre developed a cost-effective laser-based animal repeller that uses laser detection to trigger pre-recorded distress and predator calls, powered by a solar-assisted laser unit and a mains-charged main system.
- Developed a compact eco-friendly device ‘Burrow Smoker’ for controlling the burrowing rodents using natural smoke derived from paddy straw.
- Developed the ‘crow baiting method’ using bromadiolone 0.005%RB for controlling the pest rodents in coconut.
- Developed the community rodent control campaign protocol in collaboration with DOA (popularly known as Maruteru model) contributing 400 crores of additional income from 10 lakh ha rice crop annually in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
- Developed the rodent forewarning thumb rules for deltaic coasts in A.P for rice.
- Established the ETL levels for rodent damage in rice as 4% tiller damage before PI through simulation studies.
- Developed Farmer Field School (FFS) curricula for management of pest rodents in rice.
- Developed an ecologically based rodent management technique “Trap Barrier System (TBS)” for controlling the lesser bandicoots in irrigated rice ecosystem.
- Developed the liquid baiting technology using bromadiolone 0.005% for containing the pest rodents in grain storage godowns.
- Novel rodenticide molecules i.e. difenacoumn, flocoumafen and brodifocumn were evaluated against lesser bandicoot rat.
- Developed the low-cost solar fencing system using locally available materials for protecting the field crops from macaques and wild boar.
- Developed the sulphur-based repellent for controlling the rats and squirrel in orchard crops.
- Given seven recommendations in the Package of Practices of PAU related to Integrated Rodent Pest Management Technology for zero-tilled and Happy Seeder sown wheat crops, direct-seeded rice crop, groundnut crop, sugarcane crop, pea crop, and a rodent-proofed plinth for prevention of rodent damage under outdoor storage conditions.
- Patent filed for ready-to-use stable 1.6% zinc phosphide bait developed and tested for its efficacy in mitigating bait shyness in rats (December 2019).
- Patent filed for an innovative eco-friendly contraceptive bait based on quinestrol (a synthetic estrogen) nanoparticles for prolonged bioavailability and efficacy (February 2025).
- Developed repellent-based formulation (RBF) effective against rodents, blue bull, and wild boar.
- The ready-to-use stable synthetic pheromone (acetophenone) based zinc phosphide bait proved highly effective as a rodenticide even after extended storage periods.
- A combination rodenticide formulation based on lower than standard doses of bromadiolone and cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) was found effective under laboratory and field conditions.
- Genomic analysis of rodent samples indicated the presence of Rattus tanezumi in northwestern India, previously misidentified as Rattus rattus due to similar morphology.
- Studies on the diet composition of Barn owl (88% rodents) and Spotted owlet (40% rodents) revealed their potential as biological control agents.
- Determined the aversive effects of capsaicin, capsicum oleoresin, cinnamic aldehyde, methyl anthranilate, and 2,4,5-trimethylthiazole (a synthetic predatory cue) for use against rodents under indoor storage conditions.
- The conspecific urinary and fecal signals were found to have attractive and repellent effects against rats of opposite and same sex, suggesting their use for rodent management.
- Eco-friendly depredatory bird management methods like CD- of alarming calls for management of depredatory birds, Bioacoustics, Wrapping of maize cobs with its leaves, Polynet, Jute rope, Visual deterrent (rotating head owl, Hawk Eye Balloons, reflective ribbon) evaluated and proved effective in managing bird pest problem.
- Eco-friendly wild boar management methods like Bioacoustics Kheti Rakshak (Installation of apparatus and playing the sound.), Olfactory repellents – BoRep (Wood shaving/Jute rope soaked in olfactory repellent), Polynet (Around the periphery of field) were found effective in managing wild boar problems.
- Developed bio acoustics, Agri-canon and Agri solar gadgets for effective management of wild herbivores in field & horticultural crops.
- Three provisional patents were filed on Vertebrate Pest Management technologies.
- Three technologies were commercialized for entire India to deter the wild animals.
- Established technology demonstration center to showcase the new innovative technologies on Vertebrate Pest Management.
- Developed and validated Jute rope technology against Peafowl management.
- Five technologies on rodent management and two technologies on higher vertebrates were included in the Package of Practices (POP).
- In coconut, trunk banding technology proved very effective in controlling rodent pests; polythene sheet wrapping (Rs. 2000/ha) was more economical than zinc sheet wrapping (Rs. 6000/ha), but the viability of zinc sheet wrapping is higher (up to 2–3 years).
- Application of 2% Zn₃P₂ baiting at the germination stage followed by Al₂(PO₃)₂ application at the peg formation stage of groundnut recorded an 82.3% reduction in rodent population.
- In paddy, placement of snap traps @50/ha (for 3 consecutive nights) at the tillering stage and application of Bromadiolone CB (0.25%) bait at the panicle formation stage significantly reduced rodent population by 79.5%.
- In organic/natural farming, the adoption of cultural practices during sowing, spraying of botanical repellents during the vegetative stage, and placement of snap traps during crop maturity reduced rodent population by 82.13%.
- Fixing of nylon net around the border of the groundnut field up to 4 feet high from the ground, trailed on the ground up to 2 feet and covered with soil significantly reduced wild boar menace and enhanced crop yield by 60.97%, with a cost-benefit ratio of 1:4.3.
- Fixing of used sarees around the border of the groundnut field up to 3 feet high and trailed on the ground up to 0.75 feet and covered with soil significantly reduced wild boar menace and enhanced crop yield by 29.41%, with a cost-benefit ratio of 1:3.7.
- Placement of bio acoustics @1/ha, reflective tape (in N–S direction), and jute ropes in a checkered format reduced bird damage by 82.3% in ragi. In maize, the use of bio acoustics, reflective tape (N–S direction), and leaf wrapping reduced bird menace by 76.2%.