Effect of Abiotic Factors to the Population Fluctuation of the Stored Mite in Equine and Poultry Feed of Hisar, Haryana

Abstract

Field survey was conducted to study the correlation between mite populations in equine and poultry farms and various environmental factors during August 2021 to July 2022. Mite abundance exhibited a distinct pattern in response to temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed, sunshine hours, and PAN evaporation. In August 2021, mite numbers were 21.34/5g feed in equine farms and 89.75/5g feed in poultry farms, corresponding to a temperature of 31.10°C. Subsequent fluctuations in mite abundance were observed with changes in temperature, reaching a peak in March 2022. Rainfall positively correlated with mite abundance during the initial months but showed a negative correlation later. Wind speed, sunshine hours, and PAN evaporation also influenced mite populations. These findings provide valuable insights into the seasonal dynamics of mite infestations in equine and poultry farms, emphasizing the importance of understanding environmental variables for effective mite management strategies.