''Mealy resistant cotton'' just a ''trap'', PAU cautions

Ludhiana, Mar 8 (UNI) Punjab Agricultural University today cautioned farmers to not to fall into the trap of some unscrupulous elements reportedly selling ''mealy bug resistant'' cotton seed.

In a sattement here today, PAU Director of Extension Education, Dr N S Malhi has warned the cotton growers not to be misled as the claim of some traders that they had mealy bug resistant seed, was totally false and far from truth.

''So far, there is no variety that is resistant to mealy bug,'' he stressed.

Nevertheless, farmers can effectively control mealy bug by sowing PAU recommended varieties and by following recommendations of the University experts, he added.

Dr Malhi said a few years ago, some traders from Gujarat had cheated the Punjab farmers by selling them spurious Bt. Cotton seed.

He advised the farmers not to sow non-descript and unrecommended varieties imported from other states.

''These unrecommended varieties are rather more prone to attack of mealy bug,'' said Dr Malhi adding that the farmers should maintain a close liaison with University scientists and extension functionaries for the management of their crop pests.

UNI JN PK KN1622