AI Generated Summary
- As cotton fields across Punjab prepare for the new growing season, a familiar foe continues to cast its shadow over the crop — the pink bollworm, a pest that has plagued cotton growers from Maharashtra to Punjab for decades.
- For Punjab’s cotton belt, these advances signal a shift from reactive pesticide spraying to strategic, community-driven prevention — a crucial step in ensuring the pink bollworm is no longer an unbeatable adversary.
- Adding to the arsenal is the Punjab Knot rope technology, originally developed in Japan by chemical firm Shin Etsu and imported by Pesticide India Limited.
As cotton fields across Punjab prepare for the new growing season, a familiar foe continues to cast its shadow over the crop — the pink bollworm, a pest that has plagued cotton growers from Maharashtra to Punjab for decades.
Scientifically known as Pectinophora gossypiella, the pink bollworm has earned notoriety for its ability to survive conventional control measures. The insect burrows into cotton flowers and green bolls, damaging both yield and fibre quality, with losses often reaching 30–40 per cent in late-season crops. The pest’s concealed life cycle makes early detection difficult, while widespread resistance to traditional and even newer insecticides has left farmers searching for sustainable alternatives.
A New Approach: Mating Disruption
In the face of dwindling chemical effectiveness, experts at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, are championing an innovative, eco-friendly method: mating disruption. Led by researchers Jasreet Kaur, Jasjinder Kaur, and Dr. Vijay Kumar, the strategy employs synthetic sex pheromones to confuse male moths, preventing them from finding females and reproducing.
The pheromone — gossyplure — mimics the scent released by female pink bollworms. By saturating the field atmosphere with this chemical signal, the technique interrupts mating cycles, reducing pest populations without harming beneficial insects or the environment. According to PAU, the method works best when applied at the square formation stage across at least 10 hectares, costing about ₹3,850 per acre, including labour.
Punjab Knot: Imported Innovation
Adding to the arsenal is the Punjab Knot rope technology, originally developed in Japan by chemical firm Shin Etsu and imported by Pesticide India Limited. The 30-cm vinyl ropes release concentrated doses of the female bollworm’s sex pheromone — nearly 50 times the natural amount.
Each acre requires 160 knots, strategically tied to cotton plants at specific intervals, with placement timed 40–50 days after sowing. Implemented on a community scale of at least 25 hectares, the method costs roughly ₹3,800 per acre. Classified as “green chemistry,” it poses no harm to humans or wildlife while delivering targeted pest control.
With pesticide resistance on the rise and environmental pressures mounting, such science-backed solutions align with modern farming goals. “This approach reduces chemical dependency, preserves biodiversity, and empowers farmers to manage pests proactively,” said Dr. Vijay Kumar, Principal Entomologist at PAU.
Both technologies can be used alongside conventional measures for other cotton pests, offering flexibility and resilience in pest management plans. For Punjab’s cotton belt, these advances signal a shift from reactive pesticide spraying to strategic, community-driven prevention — a crucial step in ensuring the pink bollworm is no longer an unbeatable adversary.
