Journal of Environmental Biology

Culturable phylloplane microbiota and beneficial insects population dynamics in rice under drone spraying of pesticides

Sreenath Ragiman¹, Kiran. B. Talluri²*, N.R.G. Varma² and B.V. Sagar¹     

¹Department of Plant Pathology, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Hyderabad-500 030, India

²Rice Research Unit, Agricultural Research Institute, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Hyderabad-500 030, India

Received: 10 May 2025                   Revised: 02 September 2025                   Accepted: 05 January 2026

*Corresponding Author Email : kiranbabutalluri@gmail.com                          *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2563-6402

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate and compare the effects of drone and conventional power sprayer-based pesticide applications on the culturable phylloplane microbiota and beneficial insects’ population in rice (Oryza sativa), focusing on key microbial groups and beneficial insects and their ecological implications.

Methodology: Phylloplane microflora isolated from leaf samples were collected pre- and post-application of treatments by Dickinson leaf washing method and analysed. Beneficial insects like spiders and coccinellids (lady bird beetles) population were recorded at pre- and post-application of treatments by visual counts.

Results: Drone-based pesticide applications reduced the total bacterial and Pseudomonas populations, whereas actinobacteria remained stable and fungal populations varied across treatments. Some fungi, like Trichoderma spp., increased in drone-treated plots. Gram-positive bacteria showed resilience post-application whereas Gram-negative bacteria exhibited variable responses. Coccinellid populations were not significantly affected, however, spider populations varied notably, with higher counts in treatments T₁ (chlorantraniliprole) and T₂ (tetraniliprole) and lower counts in T₃ and T₄ treatments, respectively.

Interpretation: Drone spraying induced distinct shifts in microbial communities and significant variations in spider populations were observed among the treatments both after the first and second spray applications, highlighting the need for further research on its long-term ecological effects and implications for sustainable agriculture.

Key words: Drone spraying, Microbial ecology, Natural enemies, Phylloplane microflora, Spiders, Sustainable agriculture

Copyright © 2026 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).