digantsharma Cotton growers in Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Rajasthan are facing a serious threat from a sudden surge in whitefly infestation, just as the kharif sowing season gets underway. The whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), a persistent pest in cotton belts, has returned in large numbers due to unseasonal rains, high humidity, and mild temperatures in late April and early May.
According to agricultural extension officials and entomologists, the pest is targeting newly sown Bt cotton fields, damaging young plants by sucking sap, transmitting leaf curl viruses, and causing chlorosis that severely impacts plant vigor. If unchecked, whiteflies can wipe out entire fields, as witnessed in 2015 when the pest caused widespread damage in Punjab.
🧭 Infestation Zones
Recent surveys highlight alarming trends in the following districts:
- Punjab: Bathinda, Mansa, and Fazilka
- Haryana: Sirsa, Hisar, and Fatehabad
- Rajasthan: Hanumangarh and Ganganagar
Early-stage reports show 15–25% crop damage in some fields, with the potential to spread rapidly if weather conditions continue to favor the pest.
🐞 Why the Outbreak Now?
Experts point to several reasons behind the early onset of whiteflies this season:
- Prolonged moisture retention in soils and leaf surfaces due to unseasonal rain
- Lack of timely intercultural operations that help break the pest life cycle
- Improper use of pesticides, which has led to resistance buildup
- Increasing monoculture of Bt cotton, which reduces ecological diversity and resilience
This combination of factors has allowed whitefly populations to mature early and multiply faster than usual.
🧪 Control Measures and Recommendations
To contain the spread, agricultural universities and KVKs in the region are advising:
- Regular field scouting during early morning hours to detect nymphs and adults
- Spraying neem-based formulations (Azadirachtin) as a first step in pest control
- Using yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce flying adults
- Chemical sprays like Diafenthiuron, Spiromesifen, or Buprofezin, only under expert recommendation
- Removing alternate host plants and weeds around fields
Farmers are also being encouraged to follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and maintain optimal crop spacing to improve air circulation and reduce humidity at the canopy level.
👨🌾 Farmer Advisory
Farmers are urged to avoid back-to-back pesticide use and to consult with local extension workers before any chemical application. In heavily infested areas, early spraying may reduce the spread to neighboring fields.
The state agriculture departments are working on mapping affected zones and may propose compensation packages if the damage exceeds economic thresholds. Awareness camps and field visits are being organized to help farmers identify early symptoms and act in time.
