PAU experts warn cotton growers of leafhopper attack

Alerting farmers, head of PAU’s department of entomology said the prevailing hot and humid weather was favourable for pests’ multiplication

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) entomologists have cautioned the cotton farmers of Punjab against the incidence of leafhoppers in the cotton plant.

Extensive surveys for whitefly and leafhoppers attack are being conducted by PAU and state department of agriculture in the cotton belt of Punjab. (HT File)

Extensive surveys for whitefly and leafhoppers attack are being conducted by PAU and state department of agriculture in the cotton belt of Punjab. As per the survey, the incidence of jassid has been noticed in some fields.

Alerting farmers, head, department of entomology, PAU, PK Chhuneja, said the prevailing hot and humid weather is favourable for pests’ multiplication.

“This pest is active on the crop during July to August mid. Both nymphs and adults of leafhopper suck the sap from leaves, resulting in yellow pigmentation and curling of leaves along the margins. Later, infected leaves turn burnish.”

He also said if 50% of the plants show yellow hue at the margins of fully formed leaves in the upper canopy of plants, spray either Ulala flonicamid, Osheen, Actara, extra super, Dotara and Thomson.

“There is no need to be panic as this pest generally does not damage to the crop and can be easily controlled,” said Chhuneja.