Cotton crop at risk as 11th spell of monsoon rains starts today

MULTAN: Cotton growers of South Punjab are facing a critical phase as their cash crop is at risk due to the 11th spell of monsoon rains starting from September 17 (today).

Monsoon rains have a big influence on cotton production. The monsoon rains typically end up in mid-September but the current rainy season may extend from the due schedule of mid-September to end September or the start of October, particularly in the cotton belt of South Punjab. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority cautioned the 11th monsoon spell was going to start from September 17 and it would continue till September 19 with heavy to extra heavy rains. Cotton growers observed that heavy monsoon rains promote cotton weeds to wilt by oxygen deprivation to their roots, a condition called waterlogging that stops plant growth and can lead to yellowing and wilting of the plants.

To combat this situation, farmers should ensure prompt drainage of stagnant water from fields and focus on early manual removal of weeds after rainfall as high humidity also promotes weed growth and pest attack. Prolonged and heavy monsoon rains lead to water standing in cotton fields, especially in low-lying areas, which damages or kills plants, cotton experts said. Jam Safdar Samija, a grower of Multaniwala village, said they struggle to drain rainwater from cotton fields in rains and fear a serious pest attack as a result of monsoon rains. They had struggled hard to remove rainwater from agriculture fields last year, he told. Prolonged standing water halts plant growth and after 48 hours, the plants may start to wilt due to oxygen deprivation in the roots, he added.

Scientists categorise pest attacks in the result of monsoon rains into three types that can damage the crop massively. A senior field scientist Nawaz Pawinda observed that the combination of humidity and rain encourages fungal diseases, root rot, etc. It also invites the attack of more sucking insects (whitefly, jassid) thrive under humid conditions. He said that heavy monsoon rains create conditions of high humidity that attract pests like whitefly, jassids, and pink bollworms, leading to increased infestations and potential crop damage. The heavy rain also directly harms cotton plants by causing waterlogging, which can lead to wilting. Nawaz Pawinda said that the high moisture levels in the air during monsoon season foster an environment conducive to pest reproduction and growth.

He said that excess moisture can also damage the flowers and bolls, impacting food formation in the plants. The whiteflies damage cotton by sucking plant sap, which reduces photosynthesis, plant strength and by excreting honeydew, which promotes sooty mold growth he added. Punjab Directorate of Agriculture Information Director General Naveed Asmat Kahloon said that monsoon rains cause cotton weeds to wilt by oxygen deprivation to their roots, a condition called waterlogging that stops plant growth and can lead to yellowing and wilting of the plants. To combat this, growers should ensure prompt drainage of stagnant water from fields and focus on early manual removal of weeds after rainfall.