Farmers must irrigate cotton fields at three-day intervals during hot weather

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jun, 2026) The Punjab Agriculture Department has issued an advisory urging cotton growers to adopt improved crop management practices to protect their fields from the adverse effects of extreme heat and enhance crop productivity.

A spokesman for the department said here on Sunday that according to the advisory, farmers should irrigate their cotton fields at three-day intervals during hot weather.

They are also advised to assess soil moisture through regular water scouting and, where water deficiency is observed, carry out irrigation preferably during the evening or at night to minimize water loss.

The department emphasized that light, frequent irrigations are more beneficial than heavy watering in a single application, as they help maintain adequate oxygen and nutrient availability for the crop's root system.

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The advisory further recommends that cotton crops experiencing heat or growth stress be treated with four weekly foliar sprays of a 2% potassium nitrate solution to promote flowering.

To minimize losses from bollworm infestation, the department has advised farmers to apply growth-promoting compounds or amino acid formulations recommended by local agricultural experts.

These treatments not only help suppress bollworm damage but also improve the overall growth and vigor of cotton plants.

Farmers have also been urged to conduct pest scouting twice a week.

If pest populations exceed the economic threshold level, the department recommends applying appropriate pesticides after consulting local agricultural experts to ensure effective and timely pest management.