Expert advises constant survey of cotton fields

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 4

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Agriculture Department are continuously conducting surveys of pesticides to keep a check on pest attack in the cotton belt.

Vijay Kumar, an expert from PAU, said, “During the latest survey, it has been found that the presence of whitefly is usually less than six whitefly per leaf, but in some areas such as Dharmapura and Alamgarh in Fazilka district, in Guntana district, in Bathinda district, Behman Diwana and Buladevala and in Faridkot district the number of whitefly in Dalyhwali and Khara has been found to be more than six whiteflies per leaf.”

“Farmers need not panic with whitefly, but they must continue to survey their fields. If the whitefly attack on the cotton crop is more than the number, they can use pesticides. It is very important to spray on the entire crop to prevent whitefly attack from growing,” he added.

He also warned them against the use of synthetic pesticides.

The expert said, “The attack of thrips in some villages in the cotton belt has also been noticed. These insects do not have the potential to cause a lot of damage to the cotton crop. For its prevention, farmers can again use the spray of prescribed insecticides and pesticides.”

He said though attacks by pests had been noticed,farmers should refrain from using pesticides more than the prescribed limit.