The Punjab Agriculture Department has warned the cotton growers that rainy season increases fear of attack of army worm on cotton crop so the farmers should take timely preventive measures as it may cause damage to cotton production and inflict heavy losses. In an advisory issued here on Monday, experts of the department said that army worm attacks in groups and its female gives birth beneath leaves which can easily be detected.
The growers should take such leaves away from the plant and waste these eggs and larvae. They advised the growers to carry out pest scouting of their crops twice a week and also ensure eradication of weeds from the corners, water channels and other places of the field. Pesticides should be sprayed after consultation with the local expert of the agriculture department. 'Growers can increase their production per acre by following the recommendations of the department to tackle army worm,' the advisory added.