For early and better opening of cotton bolls, use chemical defoliant

摘要

Cotton is grown in Sangrur, Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot and Ferozepur. At present, more than 90 per cent area is being grown under Bt cotton. Most of the high yielding Bt cotton hybrids matures late in November which results in delayed sowing of next crop especially wheat.To bring early maturity, removal of leaves in cotton is necessary because cotton is perennial plant and has indeterminate plant growth. Leaves also affect the harvesting efficiency and the fibre quality. Due to presence of leaves during harvesting the trash content increases which affects the fibre quality. The use of defoliants improves quality of produce by reducing trash content in picked cotton which will ultimately affect the market price of the produce. The crop will be picked early by at least 7-10 days with good opened bolls and there will be less number of unopened bolls remained in the field after the application of defoliant. This will also enhance yield. The scientists at Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana have identified the defoliantwhich can be effectively used by the farmers for good and early boll opening.