HYDERABAD, July 21: The director general, Sindh agriculture research and extension department, has said the recent rain has generally benefited crops, except chilies.

In a statement issued here on Monday, the director general, Malik Mohammad Akram, said the cotton crop in low-lying areas and saline fields had also been affected two to three per cent.

He said experts, after conducting a survey, had reported the reddening disease in early-sown crops but the situation had improved due to the end of water stress. He advised growers to drain out rainwater from their fields.

He said the rain benefited two of the three major Kharif crops — sugarcane and rice — and affected the third crop, cotton, to a degree.

Sugarcane is standing over 261,455 hectares and rice has been sown on 385,721 hectares up to July 15. Cotton is standing over 553,350 hectares. Rice sowing is still in progress, particularly in upper Sindh.

However, Mr Akram said different pests could attack the cotton crop if cloudy conditions persisted.

He advised the growers to be vigilant and combat pests in consultation with field staff of agriculture extension services and experts of agriculture research institutes.

The director general said the crop of chilies and some other Kharif vegetables had been affected.

A survey to assess the extent of damage to chilies is being carried out and growers are also being guided on post-rain operations and combat measures in the wake of pest attack.

Mr Akram said the rain had also benefited mango and other fruit trees.