Package for improving cotton production in the state Dr P. L. Nehra Professor( Agronomy) Agricultural Research Station Sriganganagar

Varieties Recommended varieties will be grown as usual but it was felt that RG-8, Raj DH-9 (Desi hybrid), RS- 810 and RS-875 should cover large area, so as to avoid incidence of CLCV. The variety RST-9 may be grown, where incidence of CLCV was less. Further more Bt hybrids namely: MRCH-6025 Bt, MRCH-6304 Bt, RCH-134 Bt, RCH-314 Bt, JKCH-1947 Bt and NCEH-6 Bt have also been reported better performance in the State (based on interim package), therefore committee members felt that these hybrids may be given chance to grow in the State.

Crop Diversification Looking to the cotton crop condition for the last few years, the committee members also felt that at list 30-40% of the area should cover the less water requiring crops like Guar, Bajra (hybrid), Moong (SML-668), Moth and Til etc. Whereas the rest 60-70% for cotton.

 Deep ploughing should be done for cotton cultivation.  The sowing should be completed by 20 th May and for this, the State Government should insure Canal water supply during the sowing period.  The following seed rate and spacing should be used for different varieties and hybrids. Crop Production S. No.Varieties /hybridsSeed rate kg/ha.Spacing (cm) 1RS-810 and RG X 30 2RS X 20 3Raj DH X 60 4Bt hybrids X 60

Well decomposed 8 and 10 t/ha. should be used and incorporated in the soil at least days earlier in Gang Canal and IGNP area, respectively. Before the sowing of cotton with full P 2 O 5 as basal and 50% recommended dose of nitrogen in two equal splits i. e. 25% at the time of sowing and remaining 25% at first irrigation, so as to encourage the 50% use of organic manure and 50% use of inorganic manure. The fertilizer dose kg/ha. should be used for different varieties and Bt hybrids as follows. Varieties /Bt hybrids NP2O5P2O5 K2OK2O Bt hybrids Varieties804020

Drip irrigation to cotton (LHH 144) at 1.0 ETc increased 24.2 per cent seed cotton yield, improved the quality of cotton lint and decreased the incidence of whitefly and spotted bollworm in comparison to recommended flood irrigation Fertigation to cotton (LHH 144) with recommended dose of N and K in six splits increased 49.8 per cent seed cotton yield, improved quality of cotton lint and decreased incidence of whitefly and spotted bollworm in comparison to recommended flood irrigation Paired planting (60x60x120cm) was found superior over normal planting (60x90 cm) Drip irrigation saved 35 per cent irrigation water and the cost of the system may be met out within two seasons I. Excessive irrigation should be avoided. In case of RST-9 first irrigation may be prolonged upto 50 days.

 For the effective control of weeds in the cotton 1.0 kg a.i./ha or 1.5 kg a.i./ha should be applied as pre planting and followed by one hand weeding at 35 DAS.  To check the shedding of fruiting bodies 10 ppm may be used.  To check the unwanted vegetative growth of cotton Lihocin 50 ppm may be used at 90 DAS or depending upon the nature of the variety used.

Crop protection  In managing insect and pest it was decided that 50% use of bioagents (viz. NSKE -5%, Trichoderma etc. and 50% use of insecticide/ pesticide) should be popularized among farmers.  Monitoring and mass trapping of adults of pink, spotted and American bollworms through sex pheromone traps proved effective in controlling the population level of the pests in the cotton field. So installation of pheromone traps at the time of square initiation is recommended.  Timely availability of pheromone traps should be ensured to the cultivator.  Earias insulana and Earias vitella these two species of spotted bollworms are prevalent in the area therefore, pheromone traps of these two species may be insured.  Hand picking of eggs, larva and damage shoots of the plant should be done at regular interval.

 Bioagent (Trichoderma spp. And chrysoperla spp. )should be available to the farmers at the peak activity of the pest.  NPV 450 LE/ha. either alone or in combination with Endosulphan or Chloropyriphos in the evening hours is effective for controlling the early star of the Heliothis species.  Neem 2-5 ml/ liter of water based on ppm may be used for suppressing the population of insect pest in general and white fly in particular.  For chemical control ETL values given for the key pest may be strictly followed so as to reduce the pesticidal load.  Use of Monocrotophos, Acephate and synthetic pyrithroids should be discouraged whereas Chloropyriphos, Endosulphsn, Thiadicarb Trizophos, Indoxacarb and Spinosad enchouraged. Mixing of insecticides should strictly be discouraged.  Three rows of bajra + maize+ cowpea should be planted around cotton field to attract birds for predation and conservation of natural enemies of insect pest.  Root rot intensity may be reduced by application of Zinc 24 kg/ha. in the soil before sowing and the cotton seed treated with either Emisan (0.1%) or Bavistin (0.2%). Further more, local isolate Trichoderma 4 g /kg seed proves effective in keeping the disease spread under check.

 The use of susceptible varieties/ hybrids should be treated with Imidaclorpid to check the incidence of sucking pest at an early stage.  Cotton seed soaked either with Streptocycline (0.1 g ) or Plantomycine (10 g) in 10 litre of water and sown early in the crop season gives better control of bacterial blight.  Sowing of CLCV susceptible varieties should be discouraged in and around cotton fields.  Cultivation of bhindi be discouraged in and around cotton fields.  The CLCV should be managed by the removal of its alternate weed hosts like pilibuti, kangibuti etc.  Whitefly be controlled by spraying Dimethoate 30 EC and Methyl dematone litre/ha at low population and 1.5 litre/ha and Ethion 2.0 litre/ha at high population of whitefly.