First Cotton Advisory meeting held in Multan: Farmers urged to apply balanced fertilizers

LAHORE: The first Cotton Advisory meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee was held at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, under the chairpersonship of its Director, Ms Sabahat Hussain.

The meeting focused on presenting comprehensive fortnightly recommendations aimed at guiding farmers toward the successful cultivation of early-sown cotton.

Experts at the meeting placed special emphasis on the necessity of soil testing prior to sowing, urging farmers to apply balanced fertilizers strictly in accordance with analytical soil reports.

The committee recommended prioritizing early sowing on vacant lands or areas left fallow following the harvesting of potato and mustard crops. Relay cropping in standing onion and melon crops was also highlighted as a potentially profitable agricultural option.

Speaking to Business Recorder, Head of Transfer of Technology at CCRI Multan, Sajid Mahmood, elaborated on several technical aspects of early cotton cultivation. He noted that considering the plant’s growth habit and branching potential during the early cultivation phase, farmers should maintain a minimum plant-to-plant spacing of one and a half feet.

On land preparation, he advised the use of a chisel plough to break the hard pan layer beneath the soil surface, which would facilitate deeper root penetration. The use of a laser land leveler was declared essential to ensure efficient irrigation, conservation of fertilizers and effective disease prevention.

Sajid further stated that Bed and Furrow sowing was recommended over conventional drill sowing to facilitate proper drainage following rainfall, adding that this method was also considered more suitable for saline soils. To enhance soil fertility in weaker lands, farmers were advised to apply a minimum of five trolley loads of farmyard manure per acre, or alternatively to incorporate green manure crops into the soil at least 30 days before sowing.

On the matter of seed selection and quality, the committee recommended that farmers procure only certified and healthy seed from reputable sources, with preference given to Triple Gene varieties owing to their improved resistance against pink bollworm and glyphosate. Before sowing, seeds should be cleaned through mechanical grading machines or pedestal fans to eliminate light and weak seed, and germination testing was declared mandatory.

For early cotton cultivation on ridges, six to eight kilograms per acre of delinted seeds with a minimum germination rate of 75 percent were recommended. To protect the crop from sucking pests during the critical first 40 days, seed treatment with a mixture of Imidacloprid and Tebuconazole at 10 milliliters per kilogram of seed was deemed essential.

At the time of sowing, seeds should be placed at a depth of one to one and a half inches, with multiple seeds per hill lightly covered with soil. On ridges, irrigation water levels should be maintained one inch below the seed placement level. For effective weed management, the application of Pendimethalin at one liter per acre before sowing, and S-Metolachlor at 800 milliliters per acre immediately after sowing in moist soil conditions, was strongly recommended.

As a precautionary measure, the committee advised farmers against cultivating cotton in fields where okra or brinjal crops are already present.

Regarding off-season management of pink bollworm, it was stressed that cotton sticks should be turned twice weekly and that debris accumulated beneath heaps must be thoroughly destroyed.

The meeting was attended by heads of various departments, including Dr Muhammad Naveed Afzal, Sajid Mahmood, Dr Muhammad Akbar, Dr Rabia Saeed, Dr Farzana Akbar, Mian Muhammad Azam, Dr Muhammad Tariq, Dr Noor Muhammad and Junaid Ahmad Daha, Scientific Officer.

The second meeting of the Farmers Advisory Committee is scheduled to be held at the institute on March 1.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026