CCRI issues advisory for maximum cotton yield

MULTAN, Apr 16 (APP):The Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, on Thursday issued a fresh set of recommendations for cotton growers, urging them to adopt improved agronomic practices to ensure healthy crop growth during the next fortnight.

The recommendations were finalized during the fourth meeting of the Farmers Advisory Committee (FAC), chaired by CCRI Director Sabahat Hussain, where experts reviewed crop conditions and outlined technical guidance for both early and seasonal cotton cultivation up to April 30.

Farmers were advised to avoid burning wheat residue after harvest and instead incorporate it into the soil to improve fertility. Experts recommended applying half a bag of urea followed by irrigation to speed up decomposition.

The committee also stressed integrated weed management after recent rains and advised farmers to apply half a bag of urea per acre or spray a one percent urea solution if yellowing appears in the cotton crop.

For saline and sodic soils, the committee recommended applying 25 to 30 bags of gypsum per acre during land preparation to improve soil productivity and balance pH, while fertilizer use should be based on soil and water testing.

To improve fertility in weaker soils, farmers were advised to add 10 trolley loads of farmyard manure per acre. For cotton crops aged 25 to 30 days, thinning should be completed and followed by the application of one bag of DAP or NPK fertilizer per acre.

The advisory also recommended installing yellow sticky traps and pheromone traps to monitor and control whitefly and pink bollworm infestations during the early crop stages.

Farmers yet to sow cotton were urged to use laser land leveling for efficient water use and to apply recommended herbicides within 24 hours of sowing. The committee emphasized the use of certified seed of approved varieties, particularly triple gene cotton, with seed quantity adjusted according to germination percentage.

To protect the crop from sucking pests, seed treatment with Imidacloprid and Tebuconazole was declared essential, while growers were advised to maintain north-south row orientation and proper plant spacing to reduce weather-related damage.

The committee further cautioned farmers against cultivating cotton in fields previously used for okra or eggplant and urged them to align sowing decisions with prevailing weather conditions.

The meeting was attended by heads of various CCRI departments, while the next FAC meeting is scheduled for May 2 at CCRI Multan.