22 hrs ago

Dry Spell Threatens Cotton Yields Across Karimnagar District

Farmers in Karimnagar are growing cotton during a period with very little rain.

The dry weather has made the plants grow slowly.

Some seeds planted in June did not germinate until July.

The plants are now shorter than they usually are.

Shorter plants may produce fewer flowers and less cotton.

A disease called leafhopper disease is also affecting some fields.

Farmers say the crop could produce much less if it does not rain soon.

An agriculture scientist says dry plants cannot absorb enough nutrients and are easier for insects to attack.

Key facts

Cotton area: About 46,000 acres were planted with cotton in Karimnagar district.
Potential yield decline: Farmers estimate yields could fall by 50 percent if there is no rain in the next ten days.
Typical yield: Normal yields are up to 14 quintals per acre in ordinary soil and up to 20 quintals in black soil.
Delayed germination: One farmer said cotton planted in the second week of June germinated only by the end of July.
Crop disease: Leafhopper disease has been reported as an additional threat to the crop.
Government advice: The state government and agriculture department advised farmers to avoid paddy and grow irrigated dry crops because of expected rainfall deficits.

deccanchronicle.com · 23 hrs ago