Use only recommended dose of DAP in cotton crop: PAU

Ludhiana, June 23 (UNI) Expressing concern over the rising incidence of plant damage due to misuse of chemical fertilisers, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Director Dr N S Malhi has advised farmers to strictly adhere to the recommended dose of DAP fertilisers in the cotton crop.

Mr Malhi said he had come across many cases of dying cotton plants which were referred to the PAU plant clinic. The stem skin of such plants were rotten and had turned black in colour.

Explaining the reasons for this problem in cotton, he further said it was because of misuse of the DAP in the field.

''If the concentration of phosphorous in the soil is medium that is five to nine kg/acre, and recommended dose of phosphatic fertiliser is used for wheat in that soil, then there is no need to apply DAP or superphosphate for cotton in the same field.

However, in case of deficiency of phosphorous in soil, 27 kg of DAP could be used while sowing, he added.

UNI