• read top news

83 percent cotton crop affected by CLC virus in Punjab

Related News     End in agricultural subsidy and cotton duty to help Pakistan directly: Humayun 'Implementation on new cotton plan from next week'   More on this   View All Spinners book $300m fresh export orders of cotton yarn Cotton production by 7 pc, sugar by 17 pc feared to fall Indian cotton import proposal to be submitted in ECC ECC permits import of long staple cotton from India Govt taking serious steps for increasing productivity of cotton crop: Bosan EU, WWF launch BMP for Cotton & Sugarcane in Pakistan PM approves restructuring of PCCC for increasing cotton production

ISLAMABAD: The incidence of Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV) in Punjab remained at 83.10 percent, while last year it was 54.34 percent, which would result in lower production of crop.

These figures are based on the data issued by Department of Pest Warning And Quality Control of Pesticides Punjab, which revealed that the infestation was at the highest level from the last two years.

According to the official data, the incidence of the CLCV has been grouped into low, medium and high level. According to the survey areas of 8852, 1876 and 384 acres were affected by low, medium and high level of CLCV respectively during the current season 2009-10. On the other hand an area of 7990, 426 and 69 acres were affected by low, medium and high level of the CLCV during the same period of crop season 2008-09.

It is worth while, to mention that the area under medium and high level category rose to 16.9 and 3.5 per cent respectively during current year while it was 5 and 0.8 percent respectively during the same period of last year. The data clearly shown that more area have fallen under medium and high intensity category.

Cotton crop is passing through its later stages of growth and development. Crop is in full swing of its reproductive development. The crop planted during earlier part of the season during month of March-April is being harvested in some areas.

However, the crop planted during May-June was nearing its maturing stages in the Punjab whereas in Sindh picking is in progress. The farmers were paying full attention to save it from sucking pests.

Low production: According to the department of Pest Warning and Quality Control of Pesticides Punjab, the present hotspots of insect pest as on first week of September, the population of whitefly has shown the decreasing trend in most parts of cotton areas. However, due to favourable conditions, it was forecasted that its population may increase in some areas viz, Shujabad, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Layyah, Jhang and Arifwala. The presence of muggy weather has caused resurgence of Jassid. The prevalence of favorable weather may increase population in tehsil namely Jhand, Bahawalpur, Rajanpur, Jhania, Bhakar, Sahiwal and Multan.

The population of Thrips has shown decreasing trend and may further decrease in the coming weeks. The official data revealed that the population of Mealybug was under control in all cotton growing areas.

Presently the local lint prices continue to be very attractive compared to foreign origins. Seed cotton and lint prices in the local markets were as Hyderabad Rs.1700/40 kg while last year it was Rs.1910/40 kg, Mirpurkhas Rs.1690/40 kg while last year it was Rs.1910/40 kg, Tando Allah Yar Rs.1710/40kg while last year it the price was Rs.1925/40 kg.

Similarly the prices of seed cotton and lint in Sanghar today was Rs.17/40 kg while last year it was Rs.1900/40 kg, Nawabsha Rs.1710/40 kg while last year it was Rs.1925/40 kg, and the prices for other cities were as Sakrand Rs.1700/40 kg, Naushero Feroze Rs.1700/40 kg, Rahim Yar Khan Rs.1611/40 kg, Bahawalpur Rs.1700-1735/40 kg, Khanewal Rs.1650-1750/40 kg, Mian Channu Rs.1650-1725/40 kg, Sahiwal Rs.1700-1760/40 kg.

End.