SOWING TIME OPTIMIZATION FOR INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT AND ENHANCED CROP YIELD IN COTTON

Sowing time has a significant role in minimizing insect pest damage by disrupting synchronization between host plant and insect life cycle. The effect of different times of sowing viz. April, May and June designated as early, intermediate and late was determined on the ability of four cotton genotypes (NIA-30, NIA-88, NIA-98 and Sadori) to resist sucking insect pests and bollworms. Cotton genotypes were sown on the 15th of each month. The results showed that the planting time had pronounced effect on the infestation of insect pests. April sown cotton had a higher infestation of jassid compared to May and June sown cotton. The occurrence of thrips was recorded highest in the May sowing followed by April. Infestation of whiteflies and spotted bollworm was negligible on all the genotypes and were below the economic threshold levels during the entire period of observation. Furthermore, April sown cotton showed the higher infestation of spotted and pink bollworms. Among the tested genotypes in different sowing times, they exhibited similarity in insect pest abundance, except for jassid population which significantly differed in May sown genotypes. Concerning yield, April sowing yielded the most at 2107.7 kg/ha, followed by May (1917.6 kg/ha) and June (801.7 kg/ha). Notably, NIA-88 followed by Sadori consistently yielded the highest across all sowing times compared to the other two genotypes. This study indicates that sowing of cotton varieties in April is recommended for achieving higher yields.