Foreword - CCS HAU, Hisar

Reception) service provides access to digital satellite data on various aspects which includes
monitoring of pest infestations (Thankappan, 2001).
The difficulty, apart from clouds, is to be able to relate pest and crop events on the
ground to the pictures obtained.
The Distance Diagnostics through Digital Imaging project enhances the ability of the
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service to evaluate and propose solutions for
agricultural problems, including plant diseases and pests, through the use of digital imaging
and the World Wide Web. Imaging stations consisting of computers, digital cameras,
microscopes and image-capture devices have been deployed in 94 county offices and in 3
diagnostic labs.
To date the Distance Diagnostics Through Digital Imaging System has exceeded
expectations. There is abundant documented evidence of instances where DDDI has facilitated
timely diagnosis or identification and intervention, preventing what could have potentially
been individually (within a particular field) catastrophic crop or personal losses. As system
use expands and familiarity increases, ever more utility seems to become evident.
Acoustic and other tools : Sensors which can detect the sounds of hidden insects like
wood borers, termites, stored grains pests, etc are finding applications in the advanced
countries. Similarly, portable X-Ray machines are being employed for detection of insects
attacking forest trees.
Electronic nose : In Oregan (USA), electronic devices programmed for detecting
particular odour or smell are being evaluated. One of these devices, Cyranose 3201, a portable
electronic nose, has shown good promise in determining stink bug damage by external
properties. The volatile compounds given off by sink bugs were identified and E-nose was
trained to identify stink bugs’ (presence) smell prints. There was a strong correlation (R2 =
0.95) between the number of stink bugs in a sample and the Cyranose sensor’s response
(Henderson et al., 2006).
CROP LOSS ASSESSMENT
Historical perspective : Zadoks (1981) identified three periods in the history of concern
about crop loss assessment : exploratory, emergency, and implementation. Zadoks and
Koster (1976) reported that German Korn in 1880 was the first to stress the importance of
using crop loss assessments for scientific and managerial purpose. Later on different
countries like Sweden, Netherland and Prussia began to assess losses. The world’s first
plant protection service started its work in the Netherland in 1899. The exploratory period
came to an end with the 1914 International Phytopathological Conference in Rome.
The periods of the two World Wars was the emergency period in which international
exchange of commodities was hampered. Such situation coupled with droughts and famine
caused food shortages resulting in loss of human life.
The implementation period was first initiated by the phytopathologist E.C. Large (1950)
in the United Kingdom. However, international interest on this aspect was stimulated by
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) symposium on crop losses held in 1967 in Rome,
which was organized by L. Chiarappa and J. Vallega (FAO, 1967).
Work on crop loss methodology was strengthened by two publications produced under
the aegis of FAO (Chiarappa, 1971, 1981).
Pest infestations often have adverse effect on yield. Therefore, it becomes essential to
accurately estimate the potential role of each agent in reducing yields so that based on their
incidence the potential losses could be predicted. The understanding of the mechanisms
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