The methodology of AESA

A. Field Observations:

a) Enter the field at least 5 ft. away from the bund. Select a site with a dimension of 1 sq. mt. randomly.

b) Record visual observations in following sequence:-

• Flying insects (both pests & defenders)
• Close observation on pests and defenders which remain on the plants.
• Observe pests like S.litura and defenders like ground beetle/ rove beetle/  earwigs by scrapping the soil surface around the plants. iv) Record disease and its intensity.
• Record insect damage in percentage.

c) Record parameters like number of leaves, branches, plant height and reproductive parts of the selected plants which should be flagged for making observation in the following weeks.

d) Record the types of weeds, their size and population density in relation to crop plant.

e) Record soil conditions viz. flooded, wet or dry.

f) Observe rodent live burrows.

g) Repeat the step (a) to (f) in four sites randomly selected.

h) Record the climatic factors viz. sunny, partially sunny, cloudy, rainy etc. for the preceding week.

B. Drawing:

First draw the plant with actual number of branches/ leaves etc. at the centre on a chart. Then draw pests on left side and defender on the right side. Indicate the soil condition, weed population, rodent damage etc. Give natural colours to all the drawing, for instance, draw healthy plant with green colour diseased plant/ leaves with yellow colour. While drawing the pests and the defenders on the chart care should be taken to draw them at appropriate part of the plant, where they are seen at the time of observation. The common name of pest and defenders and their population count should also be given along with diagram. The weather factor should be reflected in the chart by drawing the diagram of sun just above the plant if the attribute is sunny. If cloudy, the clouds may be drawn in place of sun. In the case of partially sunny, the diagram of sun may be half masked with clouds.

C. Group Discussion and Decision making:

The observations recorded in the previous and current charts should be discussed among the farmers by raising questions relating to change in pest and defender population in relation to crop stages, soil condition weather factors such as rainy, cloudy or sunny, etc. The group may evolve a strategy based upon weekly AESA, ETL and corresponding change in P: D ratio and take judicious decision for specific pest management practices.

D. Strategy for decision mating: (Examples):

i) When large number of egg masses and early instar larvae of Spodoptera/Helicoverpa are observed, the group may advocate application of NPV.
ii) Some of the defenders like lady bird beetles, groundnut beetles,rove beetles and wasps play useful  role in arriving at P: D ratio.