The International Cotton Advisory Committee continued in Islamabad for the fourth day. The 6th Open Session of the Meeting was chaired by the Cotton Commission / Vice President Pakistan Central Cotton Committee and topic was “Emerging Pests in Cotton and their Control”. Dr. Naveed, Head Entomology, Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan deliberated on new pests and new challenges, he showed data for the average temperatures in Pakistan, USA, Turkey and Egypt and correlated with the sucking insects, bollworms, further he explained the Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV), at the end he explained about the white fly indexation on various sowing dates. Dr. Omer Hema from Burkina Faso shared his experience of redistribution of pests after adoption of bt cotton. At the end Dr. Shahid Mansoor from National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Faisalabad shared his paper in white fly and CLCV. His presentation was an eye opener as he shared the losses incurred due to CLCV virus not only in account of production loss but also waste of resources such as water and input. He also shared information on double and triple gene construct and importantly evolution of CLCV during the three decades.
Later in the day Dr. Venkatesh N. Kulkarni from India joined the meeting through video conferencing and made presentation on changing the pest complex in India. His presented the research work on pink bollworm and white fly and explained that both these issues caused heavy production losses in India. He explained that late sowing and inadequate use of phosphorous and Phosphate, improper spray and favourable climate were the main causes. He presented wide varieties of options to control white fly and pink bollworm for the coming seasons.
Dr. Akhtar Ali, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Tulsa, USA made presentation on early warning systems, his thesis was based on DNA/RNA plant viruses. He beautifully explained the relationship between disease, insects and weeds. Then he established the relationship between virus, bacteria, Fungi and Nematodes. The paper also discussed the DNA virus. Importantly, the paper by Dr. Akhtar presented the various diseases and virus of nearly entire cotton producing countries specially America and within America Oklahoma. He also shared his experience of last decade to reduce the impact of various diseases and virus.
Dr. Michel Fok, Chairman International Cotton Researchers Association (ICRA) presented the report on the World Cotton Research. The report provided a short insight on various research conferences held during the year. He urged the participants that sharing information on research would facilitate the scientists to address these diseases and viruses.
During the day breakout session was held on Enhancing Efficiency in Cotton Value Chain and it was chaired by progressive farmer Mr. Shan Ali Junejo. Mr. Peter Wakefield, presented his paper on paperwork and efficiency, while Ms. Rubina Wasti, Senior Joint Secretary presented his paper on methods to enhance efficiency in cotton value chain, while Mr. Asad Imran from WWF presented his paper on promoting resource efficiency in Ginning Sector.
The Secretary, Ministry of Textile Industry at the end briefed that these practical and useful information would be helpful for further research to control the diseases related to cotton.
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