Pests attack cotton crop in north India

17 Sep '12

2 min read

Observing marked instances of pest attacks including that of white-fly and mealy bug on cotton crop in the north Indian state of Punjab, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has called on farmers in the state to take necessary recommended steps to avert damage.

Balwinder Singh, Head of Entomology Department of the University, said in a survey conducted by the University, instances of sucking insect-pests like white-fly and mealy bug were traced on Bt cotton crop in the state.

Explaining the consequences, he said, mealy bug and white-fly suck sap from the leaves and even excrete honey dew on leaves, due to which black sooty mould develops. Severe influx of this, retards growth of plants and does not allow the bolls to open properly.

Mr. Singh said incidences of white-fly were mainly observed on cotton crop at many fields in Mansa, Muktsar and Abohar districts of the state.

He added that instances of mealy bug pest were mainly traced on weeds grown on waste land, water channel and on roadside. In some of the villages, it was observed on the border sides of the cotton fields, he added.

To counter such pest or insect attack, experts have advised farmers to remove weeds on roadsides, wasteland and irrigation channels of canal, as these insects multiply on different weed host plants like 'peeli booti', congress grass and 'kangi booti' and then spread to nearing cotton fields.

Cotton has been cultivated on an area of around 500,000 hectares in the state, this year.

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