Farmers awareness and Diagnostic field visit to Mallapur Village, Kothur Mandal, on 5th August 2026.

A team of scientists from the College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU), comprising Dr. Bhanu Rekha (Professor), Dr. Sumalini (Professor), Dr. Archana (Assistant Professor) and Dr. M. Rajashekhar (Assistant Professor), along with Mr. Gopal Nayak, Mandal Agricultural Officer, Kothur, in collaboration with Sri. C. Narasimha Reddy garu (Sarpanch) conducted a diagnostic field visit and farmer awareness programme in Mallapur Village, Kothur Mandal, Rangareddy District on 05.08.2026. Field observations indicated that the cotton crop was in the vegetative stage with a moderate incidence of cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) and cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula). Farmers were advised to adopt IPM practices by installing 10 yellow sticky traps per acre for continuous monitoring and suppression of sucking pests. In fields where the pest population exceeded the ETL, application of Flonicamid 50 WG @ 60 g/acre was recommended. To minimize pest build-up associated with excessive nitrogen application, farmers were advised to avoid indiscriminate use of complex fertilizers and instead apply Urea @ 30 kg/acre along with MOP @ 10 kg/acre for balanced nutrient management.

During the filed visit, whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) infestation was also observed in bitter gourd, posing a potential risk of direct feeding damage and virus transmission. Farmers were advised to apply Acetamiprid 20 SP @ 60 g/acre upon crossing the ETL and to follow need-based insecticide application with rotation of different modes of action to delay resistance development. The scientists emphasized regular pest surveillance, ETL-based interventions, balanced fertilization, and conservation of natural enemies for sustainable and effective crop protection. Approximately 15 progressive farmers participated in the programme and interacted with the scientists on scientific pest management practices.