Strategy issued for better cotton crop management amid heat-wave

FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st May, 2026) The Punjab Agriculture Department has issued an advisory and comprehensive management strategy for cotton growers to protect the crop from the ongoing intense heat-wave and ensure healthy growth and better yield.

A spokesman for Agriculture (Extension) Department said here on Thursday that the farmers have been advised to give preference to heat-tolerant cotton varieties to minimize the adverse effects of extreme temperatures on the crop.

He said that in view of the prevailing heat-wave conditions, the growers should carry out deep ploughing before sowing cotton and apply double irrigation prior to cultivation so that moisture storage in the soil could be increased, the land could remain soft and the crop could better withstand heat stress.

He said that in case of seasonal or late-sown cotton, the irrigation should be carried out after every three days to reduce the damaging effects of excessive heat.

He advised farmers to assess the water requirement of the crop regularly and, in case of moisture deficiency, irrigation should preferably be done during evening or night hours to minimize water loss through evaporation.

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He said that instead of applying excessive water at one time, the farmers should adopt light irrigation at short intervals so that plant roots could get adequate nutrition and proper aeration for healthy development.

He also advised cotton growers to start four weekly sprays of two percent potassium nitrate solution from the flowering stage of the crop to achieve better production results and improve plant resistance against heat stress.

He further said that recommended bio-stimulants including amino acid-based growth-promoting compounds should also be sprayed for protection against bollworm attack.

The use of bio-stimulants not only helps control pest infestation but also improves the overall growth and vigor of cotton plants, he added.