PEST SCOUTING IN COTTON CROP


 

Pest scouting is rambling in a field in a specified time to observe the damaging aspects of crop e.g. insect pests, diseases and weeds quantity and their impact on the crop. The purpose of pest scouting is to get the information about detrimental aspects and exact time of their possible eradication.  

Pest Survey

The process of survey is continued throughout the year in a vast area to estimate the mutilation and average of harmful progressions.



Benefits of Pest Scouting

There are following benefits of pest scouting in cotton crop: -

·         Pointing out of damaged parts through predicting harmful aspects

·         Pointing out of weak and sensitive aspects in life cycle of insect pests

·         Preparation of action plan to get rid of insect pests

·         Preparation of accurate poison and time of spray against insect pests

·         Only spraying of affected parts of the crop

·         Conservation and proliferation of beneficial insects

·         Prevention from blind spray and thus saving time and money



Objectives of Pest Scouting

·         To know about the tendency and limit of damage caused by the insect pest.

·         To remain alert about crop’s condition and speed of growth

Precautions during Pest Scouting

Farmers can adopt following precautionary measures during pest scouting of cotton crop: -

·         Every week, regular inspection of crop should be done

·         Pest scouting from the initial phase of the crop

·         Morning and Evening time is suitable for pest scouting

·         Pest scouting can be done in area of 1 acre or less but for 5 acres 1 acre should be considered and for area of 25 acres 5 acre should be considered the scale.

·         Separate pest scouting is necessary for different crops.


Method of Scouting

In a block of 5 acre walk in “X”, “Y” OR “Z” pattern. Enter from one side of the field and after covering some steps from 20 different plants observe insects in a manner that from first row, first plants  upper part, second plants middle part and third plants lower part then again fourth plants upper part and continue this for next 20 plants respectively.


After counting sucking pests and beneficial insects write down on scouting sheet or card and count per leaf strength of insects and compare with pest’s economic threshold level. If the damage is more or equal to ETL level than recommend spray.

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