According to experts, timely sowing and use of recommended cotton varieties/hybrids will yield good results
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) called upon the cotton growers to monitor their crop for the incidence of whitefly and pink bollworm. During the live programme, Dr Vijay Kumar, an entomology expert, said that as per the survey conducted by PAU, the whitefly population in cotton has not reached Economic Threshold Level (ETL).
“Therefore, farmers need not fear, but should continue to monitor their crop regularly,” he advised. Dr Kumar also urged the farmers to go for the surveillance of cotton crop for pink bollworm. “There is no need to panic as pink bollworm is easy to manage as compared to whitefly,” he added.
Timely sowing and use of recommended cotton varieties/hybrids yield good results, he said while disclosing that during 2016-20, record cotton yields were obtained in Punjab. He also advised the farmers to follow PAU package of practices for the management of these insect pests in cotton.
Dr Madhu Shailey, a PAU expert, explained the management of animals during the rainy season. With the changing weather, animals face a lot of heat stress for which farmers should consult veterinarians and give medicines to animals on time, she said. “Proper arrangement of green fodder should also be made for animals as it provides calcium and vitamin A,” she added. Dr Madhu stressed upon getting the animals vaccinated for curing Gal ghotu and Black quarter (Pat soja) diseases to avoid losses.
Ravinder Bhalooria apprised the farmers of farm practices to be followed for vegetables and advised them to enrol themselves as members of monthly magazines Changi Kheti (Punjabi) and Progressive Farming (English), published by PAU, for the latest updates on-farm operations.
