In the heart of Bangladesh, where rice is not just a staple but a way of life, a silent battle rages in the storage bins. The enemy? The tiny but destructive rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae, which can wreak havoc on stored grains. But a new weapon in this war has emerged, not from a chemical lab, but from the world of sound waves. Researchers at the Bangladesh Agricultural University have developed an innovative, eco-friendly solution using near-far ultrasound to repel these pesky pests, and the results are promising.
Md. Abdul Awal, a researcher from the Department of Farm Power and Machinery and the Precision Agriculture Lab at Bangladesh Agricultural University, has been at the forefront of this research. His team’s work, published in the journal ‘Smart Agricultural Technology’ (translated from Bengali), explores the use of ultrasound as a repellent technique for rice weevils. The system, a combination of a microcontroller, ultrasound sensor, and temperature and humidity sensor, uses a frequency range of 33–48 KHz to deter the weevils.
The experiments were meticulous. A total of 100 live weevils were used in each trial, their movements monitored through a multi-web-cam system in both radiation and non-radiation chambers. The results were striking. After 24 hours, the system showed a 29% effectiveness rate. This increased to 54% after 48 hours and a remarkable 79% after 72 hours. “The ultrasonic weevil repellent system can be a practical and sustainable solution for repelling weevils,” Awal stated, his voice filled with the excitement of discovery.
The implications of this research are vast. For the agricultural sector, this could mean a significant reduction in post-harvest losses, which are estimated to be around 10-25% in developing countries. For the energy sector, it opens up new avenues for sustainable pest management, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides that can have harmful environmental impacts.
But the story doesn’t end at repelling weevils. This research could pave the way for similar ultrasound-based solutions for other stored pests. It’s a testament to how technology, when combined with a deep understanding of biology, can create innovative solutions for age-old problems. As Awal puts it, “This is just the beginning. The potential of ultrasound in pest management is immense.”
The journey from lab to field is never easy, but the promise of a sustainable, eco-friendly solution to a pressing problem is a powerful motivator. As we look to the future, it’s clear that the hum of ultrasound could become a familiar sound in storage bins across the globe, a silent sentinel guarding our grains. The research, published in ‘Smart Agricultural Technology’, is a beacon of hope, a testament to human ingenuity, and a step towards a more sustainable future.