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In the past, the cotton crop in the state had often been damaged by the American Bollworm. In 2002, the bug had caused severe damage to the crop, ruining a number of state farmers in the process. But in the past few years, the farmers had been getting a good crop. However, now a threat by another bug looms large. It was generally believed that Bt cotton was pest-resistant, but B.S. Duggal, Additional Director, Haryana Agriculture, says Bt cotton is safe only from bollworm and not mealy bug.
What is worrying the cotton farmers is the early onset of monsoon. Rains at this time of the year is good for other crops, including bajra, sugarcane, paddy and pulses, but not for cotton. “A prolonged humid period is conducive to the growth of the mealy bug. Farmers fear their crops may be damaged if the rains continue for a considerable period of time,’’ said Duggal.
A recent study by two scientists of Haryana Agriculture University, Dr R.K. Saini and Dr Paleram, had shown that the presence of mealy bug was more in Sirsa district of the state. The study had shown that there was more presence of black and brown ants on cotton crop damaged by the bug.
The Agriculture Department is advising the farmers to remove the weeds in their fields and make use of pesticides wherever there are signs of the bug. “We have asked the farmers in the state to keep a close watch and destroy all unwanted weeds as mealy bugs are known to survive and thrive on them,’’ said Duggal. This year, the cotton crop had been shown on a smaller area in the state. While last year the total area under cotton crop in Haryana was 86,000 acres, this year it is much less at 80,000 acres, said sources in the state agriculture department.
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