Prevention of pink bollworm in cotton: Main advice of Agriculture Department
By yash chouhan 2025-07-30 16:59:10
Farmers should protect their cotton crop from pink bollworm, special advice from Agriculture Department
Correspondent, Narnaul (Mahendragarh). Due to continuous rainfall, there is a possibility of pink bollworm attack in cotton crop. Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA) Devendra Singh of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has urged farmers to be extremely cautious to save the crop from the possible attack of pink bollworm.
He warned that this time is sensitive for pink bollworm attack, which can seriously affect the production of cotton. He has advised farmers to regularly and closely inspect their cotton crop so that the early symptoms of pink bollworm can be identified in time.
Chemical spraying: Use only recommended pesticides
He emphasized that if the pest infestation increases, farmers should spray only the pesticides recommended by the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department. Arbitrary use of pesticides can not only be ineffective, but can also be harmful to the crop and the environment.
Awareness of farmers and taking appropriate steps in time is the key to protect the cotton crop from pink bollworm and secure their income. This will ensure that the cotton crop remains healthy and farmers get the full fruits of their hard work.
Farmers should pay attention to these signs
* Red or pink caterpillars inside the buds: This is a clear sign of the presence of pink bollworm.
* Bursted buds: Buds may burst prematurely due to caterpillar attack.
* Small holes in young cotton bolls: These holes indicate the damage done by the caterpillar.
* Wilted twigs and leaves: Parts of the plant may wilt due to caterpillars.
* Black sticky drops (honeydew) on the plant: This can also be an indication of pest attack.
Use of pheromone traps and monitoring of pests
For the management of pink bollworm, DDA has suggested an effective measure:
* Pheromone traps: Install two pheromone traps per acre.
* Regular checking: Check the number of pests trapped in these traps every three days.
* Immediate action: If the number of pests in each trap remains >100 for three consecutive days, it is an indication of severe infestation and immediate action is imperative.
