Introduction About cotton Cotton diasesis

Diseases

Cotton crop(Gossypium hirsutum) is vulnerable to infections by pathogens like fungi, bacteria and viruses. All the parts of the plants are infected and crop lossess are common.
1. Root rot (Seedling to vegetative stage): The root rot of cotton is caused by Rhizoctonia bataticola and Rhizoctonia solani fungi present in the soil supported by higher moisture in the soil.

Seed treatment with bio- agents Trichoderma viride 10 gm/kg + Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10g/ kg seed or Thiram 75% WS 3g/kg seed or Soil drenching with Trichoderma viride @ 5 kg/acre mixed with 200 kg moist FYM. Spot drenching with Metalaxyl 35 % [Krilaxlyl Power] 1 g/L water at the base of affected plants as well as surrounding healthy plants.
 
2. Fusarium wilt (Any stage of crop growth): Fusarium wilt is common disease of cotton crop caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, and capable of causing significant crop loss. The fungus is free living and may persist in soil as chlamydospores and in association with the roots of cotton as well as on the roots of weeds. Fusarium wilt spores may also live on the seeds of cotton.

3. Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium wilt of cotton disease is caused by Verticillium dahlia fungus. Reduced leaf size with mottling with yellow areas between veins and on margins; Brown necrotic leaves become dry and finally shed off.

4. Para wilt or Sudden drying (New wilt): The sudden drying of cotton plants is noticed farmers’ fields after drought followed by rains or irrigation.
 
Management of wilts
Seed treatment with bio- agents Trichoderma viride 10 gm/kg + Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10g/ kg seed or Thiram 75% WS 3g/kg seed or Soil drenching with Trichoderma viride @ 5 kg/acre mixed with 200 kg moist FYM. Spot drenching with Metalaxyl 35 % [Krilaxlyl Power] 1 g/L water or Carbendazim 2 gm/L of water at the base of affected plants as well as surrounding healthy plants