Deadly pink bollworm halves cotton cultivation in North India

For nearly four years, the pink bollworm has devastated cotton crops in the northern Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

This infestation has led to a significant decrease in cotton cultivation, which has fallen from around 160,000 hectares last year to only 100,000 hectares this year, as of the first week of July.

Pink bollworm infestation first detected in 2017

The pink bollworm (PBW), also known as gulabi sundhi among farmers, damages cotton crops by burrowing its larvae into the cotton bolls, resulting in the lint being cut and stained, making it unfit for use.

Effective techniques to prevent PBW attacks exist but have not been widely adopted by farmers.

The pest first appeared in North India during the 2017-18 season in select locations of Haryana and Punjab, primarily affecting Bt cotton. By 2021, it began causing significant damage in several districts in Punjab, including Bathinda, Mansa, and Muktsar, where approximately 54% of the area under cotton production experienced varying degrees of PBW infestation.

Adjoining areas in Rajasthan also reported PBW infestation during that period.

Spread and impact of PBW in North India

Since 2021, PBW attacks have increased annually in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. In Punjab, the affected districts include Bathinda, Mansa, and Muktsar. In Rajasthan, Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh are impacted, while in Haryana, Sirsa, Hisar, Jind, and Fatehabad are affected.

Two months after sowing this year, reports of PBW infestation are emerging across these states.

Methods to control PBW spread

PBW primarily spreads through the air and the residue of infected crops left by farmers in the field, which can harbour PBW larvae and infect future crops.

Infected cotton seeds are another source of the pest’s spread. Experts from Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, advise spraying insecticides once PBW is detected in the crop.

Frequent application can save uninfested cotton bolls but not those already infested. To prevent future infestation, experts suggest that fields with PBW infestation should not be planted with cotton for at least one season.

Farmers are also advised to burn crop residue promptly and ensure there is no mixing of healthy and unhealthy seeds or cotton.

Preventive measures

Two primary techniques can prevent PBW outbreaks by disrupting the insects’ mating process, costing approximately Rs 3,300 to 3,400 per acre. The first involves applying a paste containing synthetic pheromones to the stems of cotton plants.

This paste attracts male insects, preventing them from locating females and thus reducing the PBW population.

For a one-acre field with roughly 7,000 cotton plants, the paste needs to be applied to 350-400 plants spread across the field at three intervals: 45-50 days, 80 days, and 110 days after sowing.

The second technology, known as the PBKnot Technology, also works on a similar principle. Thread knots with pheromone dispensers are placed strategically on the cotton fields to confuse male moths and prevent them from finding females.

This dispenser must be tied to cotton plants when they are 45-50 days old.

Challenges with adoption

Farmers’ traditional conservatism regarding the adoption of new techniques and technologies poses a challenge in dealing with PBW infestation.

The focus has been on curative rather than preventive measures, as the latter do not present an immediate need or show immediate benefits.

Farmers are reluctant to spend Rs 3,300-3,400 extra per acre on the crop if there is no PBW attack. There is a significant lack of awareness and training among farmers about using these preventive techniques.

Intensive training programs and awareness campaigns are necessary to ensure farmers understand and trust the new technology.

Expanded field demonstrations and support from the government and private sector in the form of subsidies or financial aid can make these technologies more accessible to farmers.

Ultimately, effectively dealing with PBW will require coordinated efforts among the states where the pest has been wreaking havoc.

Inadequate management in any one state can potentially destroy crops in neighbouring states, as the pest can travel through the air.

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