According to a report, the pink bollworm infection has harmed up to 15% of the early-sown cotton crop, which is most susceptible to the parasite and is between 60 and 80 days old.
Insignificant instances of sucking insects including whitefly, jassid, thrips, and mealybug damaging the crop have been reported in various sections of the state, although the majority of the typically seeded areas have remained reasonably pest-free.
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) carried out the survey on Thursday.
The PAU Vice Chancellor (VC), Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, led a survey team to the cotton belt in the Malwa region in an effort to protect the Punjabi cotton fields from the widespread pink bollworm infestation.
The VC examined the state’s cotton crop in the company of a group of specialists, including PAU Director of Research Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt and scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Research Station, Drs. Paramjit Singh, Vijay Kumar, Dr. Rajinder Kaur, Dr. K. S. Sekhon, Dr. Amarjit Singh, and Dr. Jasjinder Kaur.
Dr. Gosal expressed concern about the pink bollworm threat while exploring the cotton fields of the villages of Talwandi Sabo, Behman Kaur Singh, Malkana, Singo, and Kaur Singh Wala in Bathinda district and Khiali Chehlanwali, Sahnewali, Burj Bhlaike, Jherianwali, and Tandian in Mansa district.
“This formidable pest, known to thrive in cotton crops of the North India poses a significant risk to the region’s farmers,” he warned. Dr. Dhatt gave an update on the cotton crop and offered an upbeat but cautious prognosis.
He highlighted to farmers the need for alertness and prompt action when the pink bollworm is discovered. His suggestion was to immediately spray the crop with insecticides in accordance with accepted practises.
Dr. Vijay Kumar elaborated on effective management techniques and emphasised the need of looking for pink bollworm indications in flowers and cotton bolls. He recommended farmers to perform this important work by inspecting at least 100 blooms from diverse sites, giving special attention to rosette blossoms.
Spraying the crop with 100 g of emamectin benzoate 5SG (Proclaim), 500 ml of profenophos 50EC (Curacron), 200 ml of indoxacarb 14.5SC (Avaunt), or 250 g of thiodicarb 75WP (Larvin) per acre was deemed necessary to combat the pink bollworm if it was found.
