CCRI issues cotton advisory

MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th May, 2026) Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan has issued a 15-day advisory for cotton growers following the fifth meeting of its Farmers Technical Advisory Committee, chaired by Director Ms. Sabahhat Hussain.

The committee advised that crops over two months old and entering the flowering stage should receive one bag of urea per acre, along with integrated weed management. Irrigation should be carried out at intervals of 7 to 10 days.

Farmers cultivating early “triple gene” cotton varieties were directed to use recommended glyphosate, while reports of armyworm attacks in patches prompted advice to spray 40 ml of Leufeuran in 20 liters of water on affected plants.

The overall cotton crop situation was described as satisfactory. Farmers were urged to delay pesticide sprays unless the crop shows stress. Those yet to sow cotton should complete sowing immediately without delay.

For land preparation, laser land leveling and chisel plowing were recommended to improve soil conditions. Pre-sowing weed control measures include Pendimethalin at 1200 ml per acre or S-Metolachlor at 800 ml per acre within 24 hours of sowing.

Certified seeds of approved varieties should be used, maintaining a plant-to-plant distance of 9 inches. Farmers were cautioned against sowing cotton in fields where okra or eggplant crops are present.

The advisory also discouraged burning wheat residue, urging farmers to incorporate it into the soil to enhance fertility. For crops aged 25–30 days, thinning should be completed followed by application of one bag of DAP or NP fertilizer per acre.

To control sucking pests, particularly whitefly, farmers were advised to install 10 yellow sticky traps per acre. For pink bollworm management, 10 pheromone traps per acre should be installed, with one trap for monitoring per five acres.

Seed treatment with a mixture of Imidacloprid and Tebuconazole (10 ml per kg seed) was recommended to protect the crop from early pest attacks.

The meeting was attended by departmental heads and scientific officers. The next session of the advisory committee is scheduled for May 16 at CCRI Multan.