The Punjab Agriculture Department (PAD) has advised the cotton growers that most suitable time for cultivation of traditional cotton (non-BT) in Multan, Khanewal, Vehari, Lodharan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, D G Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Layyah and Rahim Yar Khan area is from April 1 to May 31, 2011.
The department further said those recommended varieties of short duration for these areas CIM-496, CIM-506, CIM-499, BH-160, NIAB-111, CIM-534, FH-901, CIM-554 and CIM-446. While traditional varieties of moderate duration recommended for these areas are CIM-437, MNH-786, NIBG-2, NIAB-846, NIAB-777 and CRSM-38. According to the agriculture experts, growers should complete sowing in virus affected areas by May 15 on priority basis as delayed sowing may result in less production.