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Agriculture, Supply & Prices Department, Government of Sindh

Diseases of Cotton & their control

Cotton is one of the most important fiber and cash crops of Pakistan, which earns foreign exchange for the country. The crop has maximum area in Punjab followed by Sindh and very negligible in NWFP. The yield per hectare of seed cotton in Punjab is more to that of Sindh province. On a whole, cotton is a major crop in parts of African tropics, Australia, China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Soviet Union, Sudan, United States, and warmer regions of central and South America.

Archaeologists and historians believe that cotton existed 5000 years ago. Mohan-jo-Daro was nature place of cotton, where the people knew the arts of spinning and weaving. Cotton lint was separated from seed on charkha (a kind of hand cranked roller gin) and the fibers processed in to fabrics with drop spindles and primitive looms. The quality of the textile produced has been excellent (Bhatti and Soomro, 1996 and Khoso, 1992). The history of 'cotton crisis' is also as old as its cultivation. Following poem of Shah Abdul Latif, a saint poet of Sindh can be quoted as first example (during 1689-1752 AD).

In the midst of the trees no cotton plants are: So here are no spinners. The empty bazaar Has ensalted my heart; Foolish girl, in your brain. Translated by: H. T. Sorely (1938)

 

The second example regarding cotton diseases was quoted in Taxas Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin No.4 (1888). Palmel studied and wrote about root rot of cotton (Anonymous, 1981). The struggle against cotton diseases continued up to date. It had been revealed that this crop was subjected to more than 60 diseases (Anonymous, 1981). The diseases reduced the yield and brought about heavy losses. The work carried out so far in Pakistan shows that seedling rot or wilt, root rot, boll rot, anthracnose, different types of leaf spot diseases, premature opening of bolls (Tirak), stunting and reduction in size of leaves, some nematode species, bacterial blight (angular leaf spot and boll rot), leaf curl and stenosis of cotton, found causing damage to the crop (Kamal and Moghal, 1968; Hafiz, 1986 and Jiskani, 1992 and 1999). Such diseases are injurious in some areas, in some years and on some plant parts. The magnitude of disease damage depends up on the environment and cultivar.

The crop record revealed that root and boll rot diseases of cotton were considered as most severe and destructive, but since last decade, cotton leaf curl virus (CLCV) found to be most important disease. This disease was first time recorded in 1967 at Multan on cotton plants. In Sindh, this disease was first reported during 1996 at Ubauro, District Ghotki. Now it is reached up to New Saedabad, District Hyderabad during 1999-2000. It was considered a minor disease until 1987, but in 1991-92, it infested 35,000 acres and 294,000 acres during 1992-93 causing a huge production and monetary loss to the nation (PARC, 1993).

However, it is quite difficult to present accurate estimates of the losses due to diseases. The losses vary from year to year and from one region to the other. The fields have been found to show as much as 100 percent damage in certain cases. It is becoming obvious that: now, it is up to the cotton growers and crop protectionists, to design and formulate ways or mean to combat all enemies of the crop, so that the losses may be minimized.

The causes, symptoms, preventive and curative control measures of some important diseases of cotton, are being summarized here under and based on the recommendations by Bhatti and Jiskani (1995 and 1996); Hafiz (1986); Jagirdar and Jagirdar (1980), Jiskani (1992), Kamal and Moghal (1968) and PARC (1993), for the benefit of the cotton growers.

Cotton Leaf Curl Virus



Cause: The disease causing virus belongs to Gemini group.

Symptoms: Upward and downward curling of leaves accompanied by small as well as main vein thickenings (SVT as well as MVT) on leaves, pronounced on underside. If a diseased leaf is viewed from beneath against the light, thickened vein found darker green and opaque than the normal. In extreme but not in frequent cases, formation of the cup shaped or leaf laminar (veins) out growth called "enation" appears on the back or underside of the leaf. The newly produced leaves are small, excessively crinkled and curled at the edge. The primary stem often tends to grow taller than normal. The enter-nodes being elongated and irregularly curved but sometimes the whole plant is stunted. The flowers checked in growth and become abortive. Bolls remained small in size and failed to open. All parts of badly hit plants are very brittle and ready broken.

 

Transmission: The disease transmitted by feeding of the white fly, Bemisia tabaci with in 6.5 hours. A single female, carrying virus can infest many plants. It may also be kept in mind that white fly is known to survive on as many as 53 host plant species, and is responsible for transmitting 23 crop diseases in region. At global level, white fly infests 600 different plant species.

Boll Rot

Cause: Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporium, Rhizopus oryzae (belongs to fungi) and a bacterium Xanthomonas malvacearum reported as predominant causes of boll rot.

Symptoms: The research studies revealed that four different types of symptoms may occur, which can be distinguished on the basis of their specific casual agent, as below: Black boll or Aspergillus rot: Affected bolls start losing green color altogether, become pinkish brown and finally sooty black due to over growth of fungus. Rhizopus rot: Infected portions become grayish along with softening of internal tissues. The fungus grows abundantly and covers many bolls under moist conditions. Fusarium rot: The bolls become dried with color assuming reddish and brownish tinge and showing dry and white fluffy fungal growth inside the bolls on opening. Bacterial or Xanthomonas rot: Water soaked areas developed on the bolls giving out gummy substance and foul smell.

Perpetuation: Diseased plant debris and seeds carry over the disease causing organisms. Humid conditions after rain and speedy wind favor the spread and severity of boll rot. Sometimes, different boll worms also play a role, to transmit disease, from infected to healthy bolls/ plants.

Angular Leaf Spot or Bacterial Blight

Cause: A bacterium Xanthomonas malvacearum cause angular leaf spot or bacterial blight or boll rot of cotton.

Symptoms: The disease attacks all parts of the plant above ground level, at all stages, causing seedling rot, angular spots on leaves and stems (sometimes called black arm disease) and boll rot (as already mentioned). In initial stages, water soaked lesions (spots) appears on lower surface of the leaves. Later on, these spots increase in size, turn brown to black, becoming necrotic, angular and are visible on the upper surface. These spots vary in size and then coalesce, forming irregular patches and giving rise to gummy bacterial exudates. Heavily infected leaves turn yellow and drop down. The disease produces elongated black lesions on the stem, branches and petioles. Stems show cracking and gummosis (gummy substance) and are easily broken, even by wind. Bolls are marked by the appearance of water soaked lesions, which are dark brown to black, invariably sunken, results in reduced boll size, poor production of lint and loss in viability in seed.

Perpetuation: Infected seeds and plant debris act as a source of infection, but can also spread through irrigation water, rain splashes, wind, insects and contaminated field implements.

Root Rot

Cause: The fungi Macrophomina phaseoli, Rhizoctonia spp., Fusarium spp. etc. are predominantly isolated from diseased roots.

Symptoms: The disease affects the roots exclusively, causing pre-wilt shedding of leaves, yellowing of foliage, disintegration of root tips, discoloration and shredding of roots, exudation of drops of smelly liquid from the rotted plant parts. Mostly, wilting of shoots occur in only few diseased plants, which ultimately results in the death of entire plant. This disease generally appears, when plants are about 4-6 weeks old and continue up to boll formation. Diseased plants can be easily pulled out of the soil, appears in patches. Roots and root-lets show rotting, yellowing, disintegration and shredding.

Perpetuation: Disease causing fungi are soil borne, hence it may be claimed that both (fungi and soil) factors are responsible.

Minor Diseases

Anthracnose, leaf spots (caused by different fungi), sooty mold, stenosis, stunting and premature opening of bolls (Tirak) etc. are also reported to cause disease in cotton and damage to the crop, which may reduce the yield, sometimes very low and sometimes so much.

Control

Following disease management practices may help to save the crop from all above major and minor diseases of cotton.

  • Cultivation of disease resistant variety is only safe measure of all different diseases.
  • Eradication including collection and burning of plant debris may help to control seedling, root and boll rots as well as bacterial blight, because disease inoculum may also survive through plant debris.
  • Deep plowing with short duration, at least two months before sowing, help to control seedling and root rot.
  • Proper land leveling is a preventive measure against seedling and root rot.
  • Use of healthy seed, acid delinting and chemical seed treatment minimize the disease incidence of seedling, root and boll rots as well as bacterial blight.
  • Crop rotation with non-host i.e. sowing of sorghum for 3 to 4 years is useful for control of seedling and root rot.
  • Mixed cropping with kidney bean or fodder and leguminous crops saves the cotton crop from root rot.
  • Proper use of irrigation and chemical fertilizers improves the disease resistant power in cotton plants.
  • Early sowing of crop is preventive measure for control of boll rot.
  • White fly transmits cotton leaf curl virus from diseased plant to healthy one, whereas, different cotton boll worms may play a role to transmit the boll rot diseases, hence white fly and boll worms must be controlled.
  • Lady's finger (okra), sun kukra, china rose, thorn apple (dhatura), mint (podina), karund, cucurbits (especially water melon), beans, tomatoes, tobacco, chilies, soy bean, sun flower, cow peas, egg plant (brinjal), holly hock (gul-e-khera), zinnia, sesame, Ak (Calotropis), shesham, citrus species etc. are recorded as alternate host plants of cotton leaf curl virus as well as white fly, and also some of them are alternate host of boll worms. Therefore, they all must be eradicated before and during cotton cropping season. Cotton growing zones may play a better role for this purpose.

Meanwhile, use of proper cotton production technology as per recommendations of agricultural experts/researchers is economical and most effective for cotton disease management. It is out look and responsibility of the cotton growers to adopt the modern cotton production technology and play a role for the development and prosperity of the country.

Reference:

  1. 1981. Compendium of cotton diseases. Edited by: Q. M. Watkins. American Phytopathological Society.
  2. Bhatti, I. M. and A. H. Soomro.1996. Agricultural inputs and field crop production in Sindh. Agricultural Research Sindh, Hyderabad.
  3. Bhatti, I. M. and M. M. Jiskani. 1995. Cotton leaf curl virus. Monthly "Modern Agricultural Research", Agricultural Research Sindh, Hyderabad. 3(7): 1-3. 
  4. Bhatti, I. M. and M. M. Jiskani. 1996. Modern Agricultural Guide. Agricultural Research Sindh, Hyderabad.
  5. Hafiz, A. 1986. Plant diseases. PARC, Islamabad.
  6. Jagirdar, S. A. P. and H. A. Jagirdar. 1980. Cotton diseases in Sindh. Agricultural Research Institute, Tandojam.
  7. Jiskani, M. M. 1992. Diseases of cotton and their control. Monthly "Sindh Agriculture", Agricultural Extension Sindh, Hyderabad: 2(8): 9-13.
  8. Jiskani, M. M. 1999. A brief outline "THE FUNGI" (Cultivation of mushrooms).
  9. Kamal, M and S. M. Moghal. 1968. Studies on plant diseases of South West Pakistan. Agricultural Research Institute, Tandojam.
  10. Khoso, A. W. 1992. Crops of Sindh. 5th Edition.
  11. Sorely, H. T. 1938. Shah Abdul Latif of Bhitt.
  12. 1993. A research compendium on cotton leaf curl viral disease and its Vector- White fly.

December, 2004