MONITOR COTTON FIELDS TO CHECK WHITEFLY INCIDENCE: PAU

Ludhiana, June 2, 2017: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has advised the cotton growers of Punjab to monitor their cotton fields regularly to check whitefly incidence. With increase in area under cotton as compared to 2016 and due to weather conditions conducive for multiplication of whitefly, the experts have cautioned the growers against the attack of whitefly.

Since February, the PAU experts are conducting survey in the cotton belt of Punjab with special focus on whitefly’s alternative hosts and weeds. The State Department of Agriculture has deputed 50 supervisors and 500 scouts in various villages of Punjab to carry out the survey. According to the recent survey, it has been observed that the number of whiteflies is below the economic threshold level (6 whiteflies per leaf). The PAU experts have advised the cotton growers not to spray the crop and suggested visiting and observing their fields regularly. Apart from cotton, whitefly is also noticed on other crops such as brinjal, cucumber, chappan kaddu, tar, etc. The experts also stressed on keeping a watch on these crops as well. At the initial stage, if the number of whitefly on cotton is 6 adult per leaf, then sprayNimbecidine or Achook one litre per acre as it protects the friendly insects. For effective management, these insecticides must be sprayed from top till bottom of leaves.