Experiment code 20.1.3.8
Experiment Title Biodiversity of soil oribatid and red velvet mite under South Gujarat
Research Type Departmental Research
Experiment Background Oribatid mites (Cryptostigmata) are minute soil-dwelling organisms that play a significant role in soil ecology. They are among the most dominant groups inhabiting the organic layers of soil, where their population density may reach several hundreds to thousands of individuals per m² (Borah and Kakati, 2013). These mites are commonly found in soils rich in accumulated organic matter under suitable humidity and temperature conditions. They generally possess favourable biological characteristics that allow their populations to increase rapidly within a short period. The population abundance of soil mites is strongly influenced by several environmental factors such as temperature, soil moisture, organic matter content and nutrient availability (Bokhorst et al., 2014). However, information on species diversity, distribution and population abundance of oribatid mites is very limited in Gujarat. Therefore, generating scientific information on soil oribatid mites is essential for their potential use in improving soil health and agricultural productivity. Hence, there is an urgent need to study the diversity, distribution and abundance of soil oribatid mites in different pockets of South Gujarat.
Experiment Group Agricultural Entomology
Unit Type (02)EDUCATION UNIT
Unit (12)NAVINCHANDRA MAFATLAL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE (NAVSARI)
Department (259)Entomology Department, NMCA, Navsari
BudgetHead (303/02092/0A)303/26/REG/00021
Objective
  • To study the diversity, distribution and abundance of soil oribatid mites  and red velvet mite in different agro-ecosystems of South Gujarat.

  • To study the influence of various edaphic factors such as soil temperature, moisture, organic matter and nutrient status on the population of soil oribatid mites and and red velvet mite.

Season Annual
Location Unit Type (02)EDUCATION UNIT
Location Unit (12)NAVINCHANDRA MAFATLAL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE (NAVSARI)
Location Department (259)Entomology Department, NMCA, Navsari
Plot No Survey
PI Name (NAU-EMP-2025-001981)VAIBHAVKUMAR KANUBHAI CHAUDHARI
PI Email vaibhav@nau.in
PI Mobile 8758006057
Year of Approval 2024
Commencement Year 2025
Completion Year 2027
Design of Experiment

Random Sampling Survey

Crop Spacing (cm x cm)

Nil 

Gross Plot (m x m) nil
Net Plot (m x m) nil
Total Experiment Area (m2) nil
Plot History Last Three Year

nil

Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report

nil

Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report Attachment Attachment Not Available!
Layout Plan

nil 

Layout Plan Attachment Attachment Not Available!
Treatment

1. soil oribatid mites

2. red velvet mite.

Treatment Attachment Attachment Not Available!
(NAU-EMP-2008-000170) ABHISHEK GYANESHCHANDER SHUKLA abhishekshukla@nau.in 9724304675 11-03-2026 13/08/2025
(NAU-EMP-2025-001981) VAIBHAVKUMAR KANUBHAI CHAUDHARI vaibhav@nau.in 8758006057 13/08/2025
Active
(NAU-EMP-2015-000240) KAPILKUMAR MOHANLAL PATEL kapilpatel@nau.in 7600058093 01/01/2024
Active
(NAU-EMP-2013-000203) CHANDRASHEKHAR UTTAMRAO SHINDE shinde.3112@nau.in 9725105636 01/01/2024
Active
(NAU-EMP-2013-000562) VIPUL TANAJI SHINDE vipulshinde@nau.in 8128984318 01/01/2024
Active
(NAU-EMP-2018-000359) DEVABHAI SHIVABHAI RABARI dsrabari@nau.in 8511680714 01/01/2024
Active