Cotton Pest Outbreak Threatens Checheche Yields

By Edgar Vhera, Sunday Mail - THE Cotton Research Institute (CRI) is dispatching teams to investigate the reported infestation of the cotton jassids in cotton-growing Checheche area in Chipinge aimed at stopping infestation of the pest.

The jassids or leafhoppers are the key pest of cotton, the sap-suckers on leaves' lower leaf surface and on leaf buds.

They contribute to stunted growth, curling and actual defoliation of leaves that translates into minimal yields and cost loss.

Matikwa is said to be under attack as acting Director for the CRI, Mr Marco Mare, assured of the presence of the problem, adding a team of professionals would be deployed pronto to conduct research on the issue.

"Will go down there immediately on the ground to see what happens so that they determine the cause and give rapid advice.".

"We must take into account the growth stage of the crop in a bid to provide control mechanisms," he said.

He further added that knowledge about pest identification and scouting is vital in eradicating the problem. Sunday Mail