Cotton Research Institute, Faisalabad has pointed out the outbreak of Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV) in districts of Multan, Sahiwal and Bahawalpur and expressed the apprehension that if immediate action is not taken, it would result in its further spread.
Sources in the Agriculture Department told Business Recorder here on Monday that the institute has suggested a set of actions to be taken on war footing in the affected areas and other cotton growing districts of the province to combat CLCV and manage the crop in a manner to achieve its production targets.
Taking action on this information, the Agriculture department has advised the growers to ensure maintenance of better plant growth in infected fields through application of nutrients and irrigation and no compromise over input use at critical stage to the healthy crop as well. Immediate removal of affected plants and burying the debris to reduce the further spread of CLCV, the growers were advised in a letter written by the Director General (Extension) to all the officers of the affected districts.