Pest Management Awareness Campaign by GKU Scientists for Cotton Fields

Talwandi Sabo, July 2, 2014: Agricultural Scientists from Guru Kashi University started an awareness campaign for pest management in the cotton fields of surrounding villages.
A team of scientists from University College of Agriculture led by Dr.Amarjeet Lal Sharma suggested the farmers to use need based application of pesticides. Experiences show that the farmers use the pesticides indiscriminately which results in unwanted expenditure and also the environmental pollution. The team further suggested that farmer should sow only varieties recommended by the Punjab Agricultural University.
During the campaign the farmers were made aware about leaf curl virus and about the friendly and harmful insects of cotton. The team suggested some of the recommended varieties like LHH-144, LH-1556 and LH-2076 are tolerant leaf curl virus and the incidence has been noticed on un-recommended cultivars. They further suggested to the horticulturist and orchid growers that they should not go for intercrop of cotton in the orchards. Intercrop of cotton and lady finger (Bhindi) may also be avoided. The pesticidal sprays be resorted to only after the attack crosses the economic threshold limit, so that the first spray is delayed to have favourable population of the friendly insects.
Dr. N.S. Malhi, Vice Chancellor of Guru Kashi University lauded the efforts of Dr. Sharma, Prof. Sihag, Prof. Godara, Prof. Dinesh, Prof. Shaweta and Prof. Shubhdeep for this awareness campaign for pest management. He also appealed to the farmers that they can visit any time the Agriculture College of Guru Kashi University for their agricultural related problems and university will provide best possible support to the farmers. It would be in the best interest of the farmers if they consult the scientist before resorting to pesticidal sprays. It will save expenses, resources and the environment.