08 July 2022, Punjab: Farmers of district Sri Muktsar Sahib have shown a sigh of relief over the reduction in whitefly attack on the cotton crop due to heavy rains. A team of experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) visited Sri Muktsar Sahib to assess the cotton crop for the incidence of whitefly, pink bollworm and jassid. As per the report, experts did notice whitefly pest, but cotton crop was free from pink bollworm and jassid.
Farmers were delighted over the heavy rains which have brought respite and wiped out whitefly as well as lessened its attack on cotton. Dr Ashok Kumar, Director of Extension Education and Dr GPS Sodhi, Additional Director of Extension Education, PAU, personally visited the cotton belt of Sri Muktsar Sahib and the demonstration site of pink bollworm management.
Dr Kumar advised the cotton growers to follow PAU recommendations for the successful cultivation of cotton.
Dr Nirmaljit Singh Dhaliwal, Associate Director, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sri Muktsar Sahib, said that KVK was regularly advising the farmers to monitor their cotton fields and remain alert in case of the attack of whitefly and pink bollworm. Wherever the incidence is above Economic Threshold Level, spray as per PAU recommendations, he said to the farmers.
Experts also surveyed the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) fields at village Mahiraj of district Sri Muktsar Sahib, where paddy growers expressed satisfaction over DSR and described it as a cost-cutting and farmer-friendly technology.
