How do you Control Pests and Protect Cotton Crops?

Cotton is a major crop since it is used to make fabric for garments and other items. Cotton crops, however, are vulnerable to a broad variety of pests that can severely destroy them and significantly lower their yields. In this post, to help the cotton farmers, we’ll go over some of the most frequent pests that attack cotton fields, as well as some strategies for warding them off.

Cotton Farming: Pests and Proactive Measures to Control them

To conduct profitable cotton farming in India, you will need to negate the ill effects of the following common types of cotton pests.

Tobacco Caterpillar

Cotton is susceptible to damage from the tobacco caterpillar. The cotton crop is severely harmed by the larvae of this bug, which eat the plant’s leaves and buds. Tobacco caterpillars can destroy a cotton crop.

Solution:

To ensure cotton crop protection from these pests, it’s necessary to use high-quality pesticides and maintain the field by pulling weeds and other trash.

Jassids

The cotton plants turn yellow and curl as a result of the jassids, tiny insects that feed on the plant’s sap. They can also spread viruses to other animals.

Solution:

Pesticides for cotton and yellow sticky traps that attract jassids can be used to effectively manage the pest population.

Buy Quality Sticky Traps for Pests like Jassids and Save your Crop

Bollworms

Cotton bollworms also known as Helicoverpa armigera are a kind of caterpillar that can cause severe damage to the cotton crop. Here are the two major types of bollworms found in cotton fields.

Pink bollworm

The pink bollworm is one of the major cotton pests that cause damage to cotton fields. The female moth deposits her eggs on cotton bolls, and the larvae then consume the bolls as they grow. Infestations of pink bollworms can drastically reduce cotton production and diminish the quality of the fibers they produce.

Solution:

The use of insecticides and crop rotation are just two examples of the chemical and cultural cotton pest management solutions that can be employed to protect a cotton crop from pink bollworms.

Spotted Bollworm

Cotton crop is also susceptible to damage by the spotted bollworm. The cotton bolls are a favorite target for the larvae of this insect, although they also eat the leaves. Tomatoes, okra, and eggplant are just some of the other plants it likes to eat.

Solution:

Pheromone traps, crop rotation, and insecticides containing neem oil have all been shown to be effective against this pest. Healthy cotton plants are less susceptible to pest attacks. Good fertilizers for cotton cultivation can help make your cotton plants healthy by providing a nutritional deficiencies solution and helping you carry out effective cotton pest control.

Thrips

Thrips are tiny insects that wreak havoc on cotton fields by munching on their blossoms and foliage. Furthermore, they are a vector for the spread of disease.

Solution:

Pesticides and a clean field free of weeds and debris are also effective ways to combat thrips.

Apart from pests, cotton diseases also wreak havoc on your cotton crop. Hence you need to ensure proper disease control and conduct robust cotton disease management along with cotton pest management to ensure success in cotton farming.

White fly

Whiteflies are small insects that have yellow bodies covered in white waxy bloom. They can be found in both the nymph and adult stages. They suck the sap from leaves which leads to poor photosynthesis, and can also spread the leaf curl virus disease. When there is a severe infestation, the cotton plant may lose its leaves, have poor boll growth, and have difficulty opening its bolls. The plant may also develop a black, sooty mold, giving it a sick appearance.

Solution:

Whiteflies can be kept under control by releasing natural predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps into the affected region. Make sure to strictly adhere to the label directions when using pesticides, such as neonicotinoids or pyrethroids, that are marketed for the elimination of whiteflies. Whiteflies can be kept away from cotton by planting trap crops such as marigolds. Yellow sticky cards can be used to capture adult whiteflies.

Mealy bugs

The cotton plant’s leaves will wilt and turn yellow if mealybugs, tiny insects, get their way. In addition, they secrete a honeydew-like material, which can promote the formation of sooty mold on the leaves.

Solution:

Pesticides and the release of natural predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps are both effective methods for reducing mealybug populations.

Insects and Pests Management in Cotton Crop!

Pests can be a significant problem for cotton farmers, but with proper management, it is possible to protect your crop and ensure a successful harvest. Remember, pest control begins with choosing the best quality cotton seeds. You can buy cotton seeds online from top brands today from the comfort of your home.

Integrated pest management is an effective approach that combines different methods, such as the use of cotton fungicides, pesticides, crop rotation, insect traps, and the introduction of natural predators. By using these methods in combination, farmers can effectively control pests while minimizing the negative impact on the environment.

In India, farmers can purchase all the required products for cotton pest management from BadiKheti, which is a one-stop online solution for all cotton pest control products. With the help of these products, farmers can protect their cotton crops from pests and ensure a bountiful harvest.