Next 40 days crucial for cotton crop: expert

Farmers advised to monitor fields, spray pesticides

MULTAN:

Prevailing temperatures during the day and night are suitable for the cotton crop, but the next 40 days are crucial and the response of farmers would determine which way the production would go, Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan Director Dr Zahid Mahmood said in a statement issued on Monday.

He said that the current temperature is the most suitable for cotton crop witnessing formation of flowers and bolls.

“Nevertheless from now onwards, farmers need to remain alert and cautious,” he warned, adding that 70-80% of the production would largely depend on how the farmers respond to weather changes.

A minor mistake during the next 40 days could trigger colossal losses, Dr Zahid explained. In his statement, he underscored that the farmers should not let their crop get water stressed and they should conduct pest scouting at least twice or thrice a week.

He said that post-rain scenario in September provides suitable atmosphere for pink bollworm growth that can prove detrimental for cotton.

The CCRI Multan director said that pink bollworm enters cotton boll just 30 minutes after it comes out of the egg and interestingly the opening it creates closes automatically and the pest continues to eat the insides leaving no sign that something nasty has entered it.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2020.