Leafhopper outbreak threatens cotton crop in North India: SABC

Time of India

2 days ago

Bathinda: South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), a scientific organisation, has flagged infestation of green leafhoppers (jassid), commonly known as "hara tela" on cotton across major cotton-growing districts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
The infestation has impacted Mansa, Bathinda, Fazilka in Punjab; Hisar, Fatehabad, Sirsa in Haryana and Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan. SABC observed the outbreak during a field survey conducted under Project Bandhan by the Jodhpur-based centre, which has its research and development wing in Sirsa.
The field team led by Dilip Monga, Bhagirath Choudhary, Naresh, Deepak Jakhar and K S Bhardwaj reported infestation levels of 12 to 15 leafhoppers per leaf, significantly above the economic threshold level (ETL).
The field survey also reported cotton leaf injuries exceeding ETL based on the damage grading system.
For the past three consecutive weeks, green leafhopper (jassid) populations have exceeded ETL, triggering yellowing of leaf margins and downward curling, classic symptoms of a jassid attack. The outbreak is being attributed to a confluence of weather conditions, including above average rainfall, an increased number of rainy days, persistent humidity and cloud cover, all of which have created ideal conditions for jassid proliferation.
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Fields were graded from three to four, based on the ICAR-CICR infestation scale, indicating severe to extreme damage.
"The leafhopper infestation has emerged at a time when overall conditions are significantly better than the past three to four years. The crop appears to be robust across the northern region, except in late-sown areas of Sri Ganganagar, where irrigation was unavailable during the sowing period", said Bhagirath Choudhary, director, South Asia Biotechnology Centre's high-tech R&D station, Sirsa.
Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) leafhopper is commonly referred to as an Indian cotton jassid or "hara tela". Leafhopper adults are very active, pale green in colour, measuring about 3.5mm in length, with two distinct black spots on forewings and vertex. They are readily identified by their characteristic diagonal movement on the leaves and are hence referred to as "leafhoppers". Population of leafhoppers occurs throughout the season but attains pest status during July-August.
Up to 11 generations per season have been estimated to occur on cotton.
Both nymphs and adults of leafhoppers suck the cell sap from cotton tissue and inject toxin, causing "hopper burn" symptom, characterised by yellowing, browning, and drying of leaves. The affected leaves show crinkling and curling symptoms. In extreme situations, there is reduced photosynthetic activity, browning and drying of leaves that can considerably hamper productivity of the cotton, and yield losses of up to 30%, if left unmanaged.
PAU scientist Paramjit Singh said that there was no cause for alarm as the leafhopper was only a little above ETL. However, the survey team noted that failure to control the green leafhopper infestation promptly could lead to damage to the cotton crop in the coming days. Farmers must remain alert and take immediate action to manage the pest effectively to avoid potential yield losses.
SABC has urged cotton farmers to adopt science-backed measures to effectively manage and control the growing menace of green leafhoppers (jassids).
Such measures include regular field monitoring, accurate pest identification and assessment of infestation severity.
Recommendations include use of neem-based bio-insecticides or other eco-friendly, organic pesticides to manage mild infestations and spray during early morning or late evening, when the wind is calm. It is important to ensure thorough coverage, especially on the underside of leaves, where pests usually hide. Farmers must also eliminate weeds within the field and along borders, since they serve as alternative hosts for leafhoppers and other pests.
Pic: Survey in Sahnewali village in Mansa and Sirsa
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