By Amrit Pal Sidhu Babushahi Network
Bathinda, June 8:
According to the latest survey conducted by the Agriculture Department, the early-sown cotton crop (approximately 35–40 days old) is currently healthy and in good condition. This information was shared by Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Harpreetpal Kaur.
She stated that a mild infestation of thrips has been observed at a few locations; however, the pest population remains well below the Economic Threshold Level (ETL). Therefore, there is no need for farmers to panic.
Sharing important recommendations and preventive measures for cotton cultivation, Dr. Kaur explained that thrips infestation generally occurs due to dry weather conditions, heat, or moisture stress. Applying a light irrigation to the crop is usually sufficient to reduce the pest population naturally.
Advising farmers to avoid unnecessary pesticide applications, she said that there is currently no need to spray any costly or toxic insecticides on the crop. Such sprays can destroy beneficial insects and increase cultivation costs without providing any significant benefit.