MUMBAI (Commoditiescontrol) - Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) relapsed weekly advisory for cotton crop, which revealed that cotton crop in most parts of the country is so far in good shape except in North India and Gujarat.
Whitefly insects were found above economic threshold levels (ETL) in Punjab and Haryana, however necessary advisory released for farmers to control, whereas 30% of cotton crop in Gujarat was under attack of pink bollworm and may spread severely because of the staggered sowing and late sown crop.
Punjab
In North Zone whitefly continues to be the dominant pest in Punjab. Pest populations were above economic threshold levels (ETL) of 6 whiteflies per leaf in two villages in Bhatinda; six villages in Faridkot; four in Muktsar and one in Mansa. In Fazilka there were 16 villages in Khuiana Server block, two locations in Fazilka block and 21 villages in Abohar block. Leaf hopper (Jassid) incidence ranged from 4-6/ leaf at all locations. Regular surveillance should be done for timely management of these crops. The fields should be regularly monitored for whitefly incidence on cotton and weeds. Fields must be kept free of weeds. At ETL levels of whiteflies and or leaf hoppers, spray the crop with neem based insecticides or diafenthiuron or spiromesifen or flonicamid before 10 AM.
Haryana
In Haryana at few farmers’ locations in Sirsa, whitefly incidence ranged between 0-4 per leaf. Surveys showed that only at a single location in the village Chormar, the whitefly population was above ETL. Leafhopper populations crossed ETL at many locations in farmer’s fields. Incidence of spotted bollworm was noticed in Desi cotton in some locations. The leaf hopper population ranged between 2 to 3 per leaf. Thrips populations were at 8 to 15 per leaf. Farmers are advised to install low cost yellow sticky traps (YST), if available, to trap the whitefly adult population. In case of long dry spell of 15 days or more, the population of whitefly may increase fast. Do not spray any pesticide to control cotton leaf curl disease in cotton crop. Neem based formulations or neem oil preparations may be sprayed at ETL for whiteflies and or leaf hoppers. Farmers are advised not to mix any two insecticides.
Rajasthan
At Sriganganagar, early sown crop is about 85 to 90 days old and late sown crop 60 to 65 days at square formation stage. Top dressing of fertilizers has been completed and routine cultural operations are going on. Weeds were controlled by repeated inter-cultivation and hand weeding. Sucking pests incidence persisted in majority cotton growing areas of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts. Whitefly populations are below ETL. Framers are advised to continue monitoring in white fly hot spot areas.
Gujarat
Sowing has been completed in the state. Crop sown after July will suffer immensely due to pink bollworm late in the season. As on 1st August 2016, cotton was sown in 21.86 lakh hectares. At least 30% of the area can be considered as late sown. Pink bollworm infestation is likely to be severe this season because of the staggered sowing and late sown crop. At Junagadh, the crop is 20-25 days old. Early sown cotton was found to be infested with pink bollworms. Among 20 locations of Junagadh, percentage of infestation of pink boll worm varied from 0 to 50 per cent and number of larvae ranged from 0 to 10 per 20 flowers. At Surat, the crop is in seedling stage. Reports of pink bollworm on pre-monsoon sown cotton crop was recorded. Monitor for pink bollworm using pheromone traps as the crop is in flowering stage in premonsoon sown crop. Collect and destroy rosette flowers by mechanical means in such fields. The crop will recover with proper management methods.
Madhya Pradesh
Cotton sowing has been completed in all the cotton growing areas. At many places, the crop is at peak vegetative stage and square initiation stage in 55 to 60 days old crop. Intermittent rainfall was recorded during last week in all the cotton growing areas. The rainfall received helped the cotton for its development and growth. Cultivators did not get enough time for weeding because of continuous rains. Sucking pest specially leaf hoppers and whiteflies were observed in almost all the areas, but below ETL. Neem oil based preparations may be sprayed if needed at economic threshold levels (ETL) for the control of whiteflies and or leaf hoppers.
Maharashtra
As on 30th July cotton was sown in 36.78 lakh hectares. More than 80% of the crop was sown in a timely manner before the stipulated date 15th July. Thus far the state received very good rains in all the cotton growing districts. Further good rains are predicted all through the season. Therefore good yields can be expected with proper management practices. However, pink bollworm in central Maharashtra is likely to cause yield losses in the absence of proper care. Last year, pink bollworm damage was reported from the irrigated tracts of central Maharashtra. The damage was high in Jalgaon, Dhule and Nadurbar districts. The damage was more in late sown crop. Second and third picked cotton was also damaged by the pink bollworm. Cotton in Vidarbha region was terminated by mid December in majority of the region. Therefore losses due to pink bollworm were very less.
Telangana
As on 30th July 2016, cotton was sown in 11.58 lakh hectares. Rainfall distribution in Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda is unsatisfactory and uneven. Other cotton growing districts have received adequate rains. Moisture conservation measures are strongly recommended in Warangal, Khammam, Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda. Insect pest or disease reports have not been received from any part of the State. Insecticide usage is not needed anywhere now.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-40015533)
0 Comments 
Post Comment 
