Using a smart watering system for controlling thrips inside mangosteen canopy in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Southern Thailand

Abstract

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) production is important in Thailand for domestic consumption and export in other countries. High-quality mangosteen is considered when there is no scar on the surface. Thrips infestation is a common cause of scars which reduces the market value of mangosteen. Thrips density is highly affected by humidity; higher humidity decreases thrips numbers. In this study, a smart watering system was designed, developed, and used to increase the humidity and reduce thrips numbers inside mangosteen canopy in Southern Thailand. The system successfully reduced the thrips numbers. This study also shows a negative correlation between humidity and thrips numbers.