Advisory ArticleAgroStar Agronomy Centre of Excellence
Do you want a solution for mealybugs in your cotton crop?
Currently, an increasing attack of mealy bug is seen in cotton crop. Commonly it is a grey colored insect that has cottony cover and can attack any part of the plant. Currently, mealybug is being observed on the main stem of cotton. If high temperature persists in the month of July and coming month of August, its attack can increase further. The most important thing is, it has a cotton like cover on its body, so no insecticide gives the desired effect and it takes time to control the pest.
Here, we will learn about integrated management to control mealybugs.
1. First and foremost, our farm should be weed free. If weed is not controlled in the cotton farm, then mealybugs will live on the grass, increase their number and then it will be difficult to control it effectively.
2. If we want to go for biological control, the most beneficial insect- Lady Bird beetle works effectively. This beetle needs to be nurtured in the cotton farm and spraying any chemical should be avoided so that their number does not decrease. In the current weather, the beetle might work well but as the duration of the cotton crop is shorter, this method cannot be used very effectively.
3. Another method of biological control is to spray beneficial fungus solution Verticillium lecanii @10gm/lit. This fungus feeds on mealybugs as well as other sucking pests (aphids, jassids, thrips etc.) and destroys them. After using Verticillium lecanii, we can use insecticides but cannot spray any fungicide.
4. Chemical control- Many insecticides like Profenofos and Buprofezin, can be sprayed else farmers can also give Imida or Clothianidin through roots.
At the time of chemical control, a good quality silicon based sticker should be added to the insecticide so that immediate effects will be seen.
Profenofos (Profex, Curacron) 25 ml/pump, or Buprofezin(Ample, Applaud) 25 ml/pump, Tata-Zeeni 250 gm/acre should be sprayed for 2 acres of cotton. Along with it if neem extract or fish extract is sprayed, more effective control can be achieved. If drip irrigation is implemented, Imidacloprid (Pronto, Admire) @100gm/acre or Clothianidin (dentatsyu) @40 gm/acre should be given through drip for effective control.
With these measures, we can control mealybugs. For more information about cotton and other crops, give a missed call on Agrostar’s toll free number 1800 3000 7345 and we will call you back to help you with solutions.