Multan: Punjab agriculture department has issued a fresh advisory urging cotton growers to adopt proper crop management practices in view of the prevailing monsoon weather to ensure healthy crop growth and better yields.
According to an official release issued here Friday, farmers have been advised to keep an eye on weather forecasts issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department and act in consultation with agriculture officials.
Officials recommended that in case of continuous rainfall growers should spray a one to two per cent urea solution to meet the nutritional requirements of crop. Once the rains subside, farmers should promptly apply nitrogen and other essential nutrients to promote healthy plant growth and fruit development.
They further stated that ridge-planted and drill-sown cotton crops should be irrigated according to their water requirements. Farmers have also been advised to conduct regular water scouting and irrigate fields only when necessary.
The advisory urged growers to apply fertilizers based on soil analysis and use the second or third dose of nitrogen fertilizer (urea) according to the crop age and condition for maximum benefit.
Officials cautioned farmers against mixing zinc and boron with pesticides during spraying and advised that all sprays should be carried out during the morning or evening hours.
Cotton growers were also advised to consult local agriculture experts before applying four weekly sprays of a two per cent potassium nitrate solution at the flowering stage to improve crop performance.
The agriculture officials said, farmers must follow the recommended guidelines to protect the cotton crop during the monsoon season to achieve better productivity.