Late-sown cotton more prone to pest attack: PAU

06 Jun '17

2 min read

The late-sown cotton in Punjab is more prone to pest attack, according to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). The state agriculture department is concerned about pest infestation on the cotton, sown over 1.06 lakh hectares after May 15. A survey was carried out in various villages of Punjab to identify the intensity of pest attack on the crop.

The survey carried out by 50 supervisors and 500 scouts of the state agriculture department found out that the number of whiteflies is lower than the economic threshold level (6 whiteflies per leaf). The farmers have been asked to avoid applying sprays on cotton without the advice from the experts, said PAU vice-chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon, as reported by the media.

"So far there is no fear of pest attack on cotton. However, we are concerned about late sowing of the crop. The officials have been asked to maintain extra vigil on late-sown cotton and keep a watch on economic threshold level of pests. They have also been asked to keep a check in Fazilka area in the state, where cotton has been sown near orchards, making it more prone to insect attack," added Dhillon.

"Reports of some packets of spurious cotton seed being sold in markets have also come up. We are keeping a watch that the crop may not get damaged due to such seeds. Agriculture department officials have been asked to be on their toes to ensure smooth growth of crop," said Punjab agriculture commissioner Balwinder Singh Sidhu. (RR)

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