BATHINDA: There are signs of pest attack on cotton crop at Khuia Sarwar block of Fazilka district . The economic threshold level(ETL) is nearly 10 adults per leaf in over 15 fields of Khuia Sarwar, as against the permissible limit of six adults per leaf. The ETL level has increased in fields near orchids. It is assumed that the increased ETL has been caused by hot and humid weather conditions and late sowing.ETL is the pest density at which control measures should be applied to prevent increasing pest population from reaching the economic injury level. The state agriculture department has activated its field staff with directions to keep a vigil in fields where ETL has increased or is increasing. There are lots of orchids of kinnow near cotton fields where the pest attack has been seen.In the ongoing season, cotton has been sown on 2.84 lakh hectares in Punjab, even though the department had a target of sowing in 4 lakh hectares.Last week, the Union government increased cotton MSP by Rs 1,130 per quintal. For medium staple, it was increased from Rs 4,020 to 5,150 and for long staple, it was increased from Rs 4,320 to Rs 5,450. Last year’s MSP of Rs 4,220 for the variety sown in Punjab of 27.5 to 28.5 MM long staple has been fixed at Rs 5,350 per quintal.The matter was discussed at a meeting of the inter-state monitoring committee, comprising agriculture experts and scientists from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan in Abohar town of Fazilka. Experts considered ways to check the growth of cotton crop.It was felt that the nutritional level of the crop should be regularly checked with special attention on growth where cotton was sown after May 15.Experts were of the view that sufficient rain would help control ETL. The state agriculture department has decided to set up demonstration fields to make cotton growers aware of ways to control increase in ETL.The agriculture department has also asked BSc agriculture students to concentrate on areas where pest attack is suspected. Nearly 250 B Sc students of Punjab Agriculture University have been asked to work in cotton fields for four months. They are being given Rs 12,000 per month as honorarium.When contacted, Punjab agriculture department director J S Bains confirmed that ETL has been recorded beyond permissible levels in Khuia Sarwar area. Agriculture department officials and students have been directed to keep in touch with farmers and give them knowhow through demonstration farms.

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