MULTAN - Assistant Director Agriculture Information Multan Naveed Asmat Kahloon advised growers to apply last water to cotton crop till Oct 10 to avoid chances of new sprouting and to get the field empty on time for sowing of wheat crop. In a press statement issued here Monday, Kahlon said that application of water after Oct 10 can trigger new sprouting which may invite pest attack besides slowing down the nurturing of existing cotton bolls. He said that appearance of white flowers on apical parts of the plants indicates that crop is under stress and demand water application. Before application of irrigation the weather forecast should also be kept in view.
Pest scouting should be done twice a week to closely monitor attack by Armyworm, Mealy Bug and Dusky Bug. In case of attack, chemical spray be applied in consultation with experts of Extension & Pest Warning wings of Agriculture Department.  He further added that picking, holding/storage and transportation should be handled carefully in order to obtain contamination-free produce.
Pakistan has been ranked third in the world with regard to problem of contamination in cotton and was facing huge loss amounting to Rs 10 billion annually. Hence, farmers are advised to pick seed cotton after 10 am when dew is dried completely as moisture compromises the color and quality of lint. Picking process should start when 40 to 50% bolls are opened. The picked seed cotton should be kept at clean and dry place. He further added that picking interval should not be less than 15 to 20 days as premature picking results substandard lint and ultimately reduces its price in local and international market. Use of jute and polypropylene bags is unlawful and cognizable, he further added.