July 30, 2007	Monday	Rajab 14, 1428

MULTAN, July 29: The attack of cotton leaf curl virus (CLCV) and mealy bug pest on the crop is not severe, and is controllable at this point, said Punjab Pest Warning and Pesticides’ Quality Control director general Dr Ijaz Pervez.

The cotton virus has been noticed in Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Vehari, Multan, Khanewal and Lodhran districts but it is mild and poses no threat to the national production of the crop, said Dr Pervez.

The virus attacks plants that do not get adequate nutrition and thus have a weak immune system. Timely irrigation, administration of requisite fertilisers and removal of weeds can help control this menace, he says.

He said mealy bug had been noticed since the last two or three years, and was controlled by effective damage-control measures last year. According to him, this year the bug has been found in traces or patches, and nowhere has it been found in a severe condition, so it is not likely to affect the crop yield significantly.

Dr Ijaz said the specific portion of an affected plant should be extirpated, put in a polythene bag and must either be buried in a deep ditch or burnt down. He said the pest also shifted from host weeds, vegetables and orchards, so the affected plants must be burnt and buried.

The DG said that the cotton crop was at a very critical stage due to rains and humidity which was conducive for infestation of jassid, American bollworm, army worm and spotted worm.

He said the fields must be pest-scouted twice a week, and if the attack reached economic injury level (three to five worms per 25 plants) an appropriate pesticide spray must be applied.

He said some weeds like “itsit” also acted as host for several kinds of pests, so these must be rooted out. August and September were crucial for cotton, so farmers must remain vigilant against any pest attack and for timely requisite spray, he added. — APP