The Punjab Agriculture Department (PAD) warning the cotton growers has asked them to take timely measures for controlling mealy bug as attack of the pest has been observed in some areas of the province. Spokesman of the department said that if this bug is not controlled in time then it may lead to decline in per acre yield. Mealy bug is a sucking pest which sucks juice from flower, stems and branches.
The spokesman asked the growers to carry out pest scouting minutely in the start of the crop and use a magnifying glass to check mealy bugs as initially it is very think and cannot be observed with naked eye.
He advised that pesticide spray should be carried out twice a week on affected plants and people working in affected area of field should abstain from going to other parts of the field. He said that water level should be maintained and consult local expert of the department for selecting the pesticide.