Farmers urged to shield cotton crop from heat stress

MULTAN: Cotton growers have been advised to follow integrated crop management measures to protect their fields as intense heat threatens the crop during flowering and boll formation, according to Central Cotton Research Institute Multan Director Sabahat Hussain.

She said prolonged hot and dry weather can trigger flower and boll shedding, making timely irrigation and proper nutrient use critical for maintaining plant health and yield. Hussain also warned farmers not to let water stand in fields, saying stagnant water heats up quickly in extreme temperatures, harms the roots and affects overall plant development. She said any excess water should be drained without delay.

For irrigation, she recommended light watering every three to five days during the flowering and boll formation stages to keep soil moisture at an appropriate level. She also advised growers to irrigate in the early morning or late evening to limit evaporation losses and reduce heat pressure on the crop.

On nutrient management, Hussain suggested a foliar spray made with 200 grams each of potassium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, zinc sulphate, borax and urea in 125 litres of water per acre. She said the spray should be applied during cooler hours and repeated after 15 days for improved results.