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Cotton is a major cash crop. It is a crop grown in Kharif season. The average yield of cotton in Haryana is 4-5 quintals per acre, but many progressive farmers have been successful in obtaining 10-12 quintals per acre by adopting improved agricultural practices. The productivity of cotton has decreased over the years, in which pests have played an important role. Due to the outbreak of pests, the yield decreases up to 60-70 percent and along with this the quality of the produce is also affected badly. Insects that harm cotton include sap sucking insects. White fly, green oil, chepa, mealy bug are the main among these pests, due to whose outbreak 20-30 percent yield is reduced. The description and management of these pests are as follows:-
white fly
Whitefly infestation in cotton has been on the rise for the last few years. It is a polyphagous insect which lives in the cotton crop from the initial stage till picking and harvesting. Apart from cotton, it attacks more than 100 plants in the Kharif season. Both nymphs and adults of this insect suck the sap by staying on the lower surface of the leaves. Adults 1-1.5 mm. They are tall, have white wings and yellow body. While infants are pale, flat. They harm the crop in two ways. One is because of sucking the juice, due to which the plant becomes weak. Second, due to the release of a sticky substance on the leaves, on which black mold grows. Which hinders the process of making plant food. This insect is also helpful in spreading cotton boll disease. Its outbreak is more in the month of August-September. Due to which the growth of the plant stops.
Chepa/Al:
Both nymphs and adults of Chepa continuously suck the juice from the lower surface of the leaves and buds. Due to which the leaves start turning. These insects are small in size, round, light yellow in color and also leave a type of sticky substance due to which black fungus grows on the plants. Affected leaves look like those dipped in oil. The outbreak of this pest increases in the month of September to October. Due to the attack of this pest, the plant becomes weak, leaves curl and fall off.
Green Oil:
Both nymphs and adults of these insects damage cotton. These are green in color which live on the lower surface of the leaves and appear to move crookedly. Due to their attack, the leaves turn yellow from the edges and start turning downwards, later they become cup shaped. The leaves turn yellow and red, dry up and fall to the ground. The growth of plants stops and buds and flowers start falling. Due to which the yield decreases. Green oil causes maximum damage in the month of July to August.
Churda:
These insects are brown in color with small slender bodies which are seen moving along the veins on the lower surface of the leaves. Adults are usually dark brown in colour. The nymphs and adults suck the sap by scraping the lower surface of the leaves. If the lower surface of powdery mildew leaves is turned towards the sun, it shines like silver. If the weather remains dry for a long time, then the attack of this pest increases, due to which the leaves dry up and fall.
Mealy Bug:
It is a polyphagous insect that collects in groups on different parts of plants and sucks the sap. And on which part of the plant they make their colony, they dry it. This insect is about 3-4 mm. It is long and white in colour. Its body is wingless. The leaves and fruits of plants affected by this pest fall. This insect leaves a type of honeydew. On which black fungus is found. Black/brown ants are often seen moving in large numbers on mealy bug infested plants.
Integrated management of sucking pests:-
1. The attack of insects is more in early and late sowing. Therefore, sow cotton from mid-April to May.
2. Collect and destroy the roots and stalks of the previous crop.
3. Destroy the weeds grown around the cotton field or on the bunds, because white fly and other insects get shelter on these.
4. Make balanced use of fertilizers. Do not apply excessive nitrogen fertilizers.
5. Do not add less or more quantity of pesticides, but only add the recommended quantity.
6. Do not use insecticides containing synthetic pyrethroid group for the control of white fly.
7. Use yellow loop for the prevention of white fly.
8. Use chemical pesticides only after reaching the economic threshold of pests.
9. By the end of May, June and July, 250-350 ml for Churda, Green Oil. Dimethoate (Roger) 30 EC or 300-400ml Oxidimethane methyl (Metacystacus) 25 E.C. or 40 ml Imidacloprid (Confidor) 200 s. Ale. Mix in 120-150 liters of water and spray at the rate of per acre.
10. If there is an attack of white fly in the month of August-September, then 300 ml. Dimethoate 30 EC or Metasystax 25 EC And sprinkle one liter of neem based insecticide mixed with 250 liters of water at the rate of per acre.
11. 3 ml for mealy bug. Profenofas 50 EC or 5 g Thiodicarb 75W. p. or 4 ml. Quinalphos 25 EC Mix and spray per liter of water.
Rumi Rawal and Krishna Rollanian, Department of Entomology
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar
English Summary: Details and management of insect pests in cotton crop Published on: 24 May 2018, 12:36 IST