Survey of cotton fields for insect-pest incidence in Hisar, Bhiwani, Jind, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts was carried out by a team of scientists of Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar.
The scientists, who recently carried out the survey, found that incidence of leafhopper has increased in the last fortnight in many areas.
R. S. Jaglan, Professor and Head, Department of Entomology, has advised farmers to be cautious and to monitor cotton crop for whitefly and leafhopper incidence on weekly basis.
He also emphasised that high activity of natural enemy, Chrysoperla, which feed on whitefly and leafhopper, was observed in all the cotton fields.
‘No unnecessary insecticide’
Therefore, farmers should refrain from unnecessary insecticide application in order to conserve this beneficial insect, he said on Sunday.
S. S. Siwach, Director of Research, said that currently prevailing weather conditions are highly favourable for leafhopper multiplication. He added that the leafhopper population on cotton may increase if rain occur frequently and the mean relative humidity remains above 70 per cent. However, the whitefly population is likely to remain at low to moderate level.
In case of long dry spell of 15 days or more, the population of whitefly may increase fast, he pointed out.
He said the present weather conditions are also favourable for build-up of red hairy caterpillar. Therefore, wherever this pest is a problem, particularly in the sandy areas, recommended insecticides may be sprayed for its control, Siwach added.
Cotton area in Punjab and Haryana had been hit last year due to whitefly pest attack.
Timely sowing
Consequently, both the States have been taking measures such as pushing for timely sowing of recommended crop varieties to safeguard this seasons output.
Experts of agriculture departments of both States have also undertaken training programmes for growers at village levels to apprise them about steps needed to achieve higher output. - PTI
“The incidence of leafhopper has increased in the last fortnight in many areas”
