A team of cotton experts of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) visited Gurusar Sainewala, Gaheri Buttar, Mashana, Gurthari, Pac Kalan and Falarh villages of Sangat block, district Bathinda to monitor the cotton crop for the incidence of whitefly. They visited the cotton fields under the guidance of Dr Ashok Kumar, Director of Extension Education and Dr GPS Sodhi, Additional Director of Extension Education, PAU. As per the report, the attack of whitefly was observed in all the fields, and in some fields, it was noticed above the Economic Threshold Level (ETL). While the incidence of pink bollworm and jassid was not seen in any crop.

Experts called upon the cotton growers to conduct regular surveillance of their crop for the attack of whitefly and pink bollworm. In case the whitefly incidence is above the ETL, the crop may be sprayed with PAU Homemade neem extract @ 1200 ml/acre or Nimbicidine/Achook (neem based) @ 1 litre/acre. For technical expertise, farmers should consult the experts of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Farm Advisory Service Centres, Regional Research Station (Bathinda) or extension experts of the State Department of Agriculture.