Mealy bug attack on cotton confirmed in Punjab

Ludhiana, June 11 (UNI) Mealy bug has started appearing in the cotton belt of Punjab and needs immediate measures to manage this pest, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) confirmed today.

According to Dr N S Malhi, Director Extension Education, PAU said that the weather was favorable for the multiplication of this pest. Due of the recent rains, weeds are emerging that act as source of multiplication and carryover of this pest to the cotton crop.

Dr Malhi warned that once the pest migrates to cotton, its management will be more difficult. ''So immediate eradication of weed is essential'', he said.

He advised that weeds along water channels, roads and banks of irrigation canals and uncultivated land should be eradicated without any delay. Heavy build up of pest on the weeds will be more difficult to wipe put later, he added.

Dr Malhi said the village panchyats should raise awareness among farmers about the need to eradicate weeds to reduce the damage by mealy bug. The cultivation of jowar, bajra and maize as barrier crop can help migration of this pest to cotton crop.

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