RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Cotton crop is susceptible to attack of Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV) this year because of climatic change, warned a spokesman of the provincial agriculture department here on Tuesday.

To mitigate this disease effect and for its control it is advised that farmers must eliminate weed from their cotton fields and vicinity. Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV) mainly spread due to attack of Whitefly which serves as mediator of this disease. Weeds serve as debris for Whitefly insect and also compete with cotton plants with respect to food and other essential nutrition. Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV) also found on other alternative host plant such as Okra, Brinjal, Chilies, Tomatoes etc and some weeds e, gItsit, Mako, Lahlee, Karund, Hazar Danni, KuthKunda, Auk, Saklaie etc. So, erradication of this alternate host is necessary to control Whitefly/ CLCV attack.

In an experiment conducted at Cotton Research Station Multan it has also been observed that spray of Magnesium Salphate @ 300 Grams, Potassium Nitrate@ 200 Gram. Zinc Salphate @200 Gram and Borax @ 200 Gram mixed in 100 ml water per acre and 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing of cotton crop can mitigate effect of CLCV. Spokesman further advised that whitefly attack is main source of this disease and due to attack of CLCV, cotton crop change colour so farmers are advised to keep in contact with Agriculture (Extension or Pest Warning) field staff to counter this disease and may also contact Agriculture Helpline.