CPCRI launches device for targeted delivery of agrochemicals in coconut, arecanut palms

The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CPCRI), Kasaragod, Keralam, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), launched the Kalpa Smart Pole on Monday for the targeted delivery of bioagents and agrochemicals in coconut and arecanut palms.

The ground-operated Kalpa Smart Pole was developed for the precise delivery of bioagents or agrochemical sachets to the spear leaf region of palms for managing insect pests and diseases, according to K. Balachandra Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPCRI.

The system is equipped with a camera mounted on top of the pole and a hand-operated tablet, enabling real-time visualisation of the spear leaf region during the targeted delivery of bioagents or agrochemicals.

The Smart Pole can accommodate 16 coir pith cakes and 10 agrochemical sachets, enabling targeted delivery to eight and five coconut/arecanut palms, respectively, in a single operation.

Referring to the benefits of the Smart Pole, Mr. Hebbar said it eliminates the need for manual climbing to deliver bioagents and agrochemicals to the palm crown. The targeted delivery can be completed in a short period.

“The device demonstrated precise delivery of coir pith cakes and agrochemical sachets to the target site, offering a safer and potentially more efficient alternative to conventional methods for managing lethal bud rot disease in coconut,” the director said.

The device also facilitates the targeted application of sachets for managing spindle bug infestation in arecanut, he said.

Mr. Hebbar said the device was developed through a joint initiative of ICAR-CPCRI and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, Keralam.

A demonstration of the Smart Pole was conducted on the premises of the ICAR-CPCRI Regional Station at Vitla in Dakshina Kannada on Monday.

The team that developed the device included CPCRI scientists K.B. Hebbar, V.H. Prathibha, Vinayaka Hegde, Daliyamol, M. Sujithra, P. Santhosh Kumar and A. Josephrajkumar. Other members included M. Rajesh Kannan and K.M. Sakthiprasad of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.