PAU CAUTIONS FARMERS AGAINST JASSID IN COTTON

Ludhiana, July 12, 2017: The entomologists of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have cautioned the farmers of Punjab against the incidence of jassid in cotton. Extensive surveys for whitefly and jassid are being conducted by PAU and State Department of Agriculture in the cotton belt of Punjab. As per the survey, the incidence of jassid has been noticed in some farmers’ fields.

Alerting the farmers, Dr P.K.Chhuneja, Head, Department of Entomology, PAU, said the prevailing hot and humid weather is favourable for its multiplication. This pest is active on the crop during July to mid-August, he added. Both nymphs and adults of jassid suck the sap from leaves, resulting in yellowing and curling of leaves along the margins, he said. Later, attacked leaves turn redddish brown, he told. If 50 per cent of the plants show yellowing at the margins of fully formed leaves in the upper canopy of plants, spray either Ulala 50WG (flonicamid) @ 80g or Osheen 20 SG (dinotefuran) @ 60g or Actara/Extra Super/Dotara/Thomson 25WG (thiamethoxam) @ 40 g per acre, he advised.

Dr Chhuneja stressed upon the farmers to remain vigilant and undertake need-based spray of insecticides. He further advised, “There is no need to be panicky as this pest generally does not cause serious damage to the crop and can be easily controlled.”