Molecular Entomology 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 209-220 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/me 215 volume of pesticides applied, PPM helps to decrease soil and water contamination, which is particularly important in sensitive tea-growing regions where runoff can damage local waterways. Additionally, lower pesticide usage helps maintain the biodiversity of beneficial insects, such as natural predators of tea pests, which further supports long-term sustainable pest control. The reduction in chemical inputs also aligns with the growing demand for organic or low-residue tea products in international markets, potentially allowing farmers to achieve higher prices for their crops while meeting environmental sustainability goals. 5.3 Technological and practical challenges While PPM offers numerous benefits, its adoption in tea cultivation is not without challenges. One of the primary obstacles is the high cost of technology. IoT sensors, drones, and remote sensing equipment represent significant upfront investments, which may be prohibitive for small-scale tea farmers who dominate the industry in countries like India and China. Furthermore, the ongoing costs of maintaining these systems and analyzing the data they produce can also be a barrier, particularly in regions with limited access to technical support and infrastructure. Training and education are crucial in overcoming this challenge, as many farmers may lack the necessary skills to operate these advanced technologies effectively. Without adequate support and training, even well-funded projects may fail to achieve their full potential (Finger et al., 2019). Another challenge is the variability of environmental conditions and pest behavior across different tea-growing regions. Precision pest management systems must be tailored to the specific conditions of each plantation, which can vary greatly in terms of climate, soil type, and pest populations. This variability complicates the standardization of PPM practices and increases the complexity of implementation. Furthermore, there can be resistance from farmers who are accustomed to traditional methods and may be reluctant to adopt new technologies. Overcoming these challenges will likely require government support, in the form of subsidies for technology adoption, and ongoing research into region-specific solutions. Despite these hurdles, the long-term benefits of PPM, both economic and environmental, make it a promising approach for the future of sustainable tea cultivation. 6 Case Study 6.1 Overview of the selected region/tea plantation The selected tea plantation for this case study is located in Assam, northeast India, a region renowned for its large-scale tea production. The humid, tropical climate of Assam is conducive to tea cultivation but also creates ideal conditions for pest outbreaks, particularly pests such as the tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis theivora), red spider mites, and aphids. The plantation, spanning approximately 1 500 hectares, has traditionally relied on conventional pesticide applications to control pests. However, growing concerns over pesticide resistance, environmental degradation, and the need for sustainable practices prompted the shift toward precision pest management (PPM) (Filho et al., 2019). In this plantation, IoT and remote sensing technologies were integrated to offer real-time monitoring and targeted pest control. The management team installed IoT sensors to measure environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and soil moisture, while drones equipped with multispectral cameras performed periodic flyovers to capture high-resolution imagery of the crops. These technologies allowed the plantation managers to identify pest hotspots more accurately and respond in a timely manner, reducing the need for blanket pesticide applications and contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency (Figure 2) (Vanegas et al., 2018). 6.2 Implementation of IoT and remote sensing for pest control The implementation of IoT and remote sensing technologies involved a multi-step process. First, environmental monitoring stations equipped with IoT sensors were strategically placed throughout the plantation to continuously track climate conditions and soil moisture, key factors influencing pest behavior. Drones were deployed to capture multispectral images of the plantation at regular intervals, focusing on detecting early signs of pest infestations through vegetation indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) (Li et al., 2022). These indices revealed areas of stress in the tea plants, which often indicated pest presence.
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