Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Cotton Crop in Punjab, India

Abstract

Cotton is one of the most important on-perishable crops of our country grown in the Kharif season. In Northern India, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan states are the prominent cotton-growing states. In Punjab, the cultivation of cotton crop is done mainly in the South Western Region of Punjab, i.e., Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka, Mukstar, Moga, Faridkot, Sangrur, and Barnala. The maximum area of the cotton crop in Punjab is under the American cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Irrespective of the larger area of the South-Western Region of Punjab state under cotton, biotic, and abiotic stresses lead to cause the setback in the production or productivity of the cotton crop. Among the biotic stresses, during the cropping season in relation to the diseases, e.g., cotton leaf curl disease, bacterial blight, root rot, and leaf spot are the important diseases and are causing economic loss. Cotton Leaf Curl Disease (CLCuD) is an important viral disease, considered as the major threat to production of cotton especially American cotton in Northern India. The bacterial blight caused by the bacterial plant pathogen, i.e., Xanthomonas sp. is seed-borne in nature and survives in infected crop debris, can infect any part of the cotton crop at any stage. The root rot and leaf spot is the fungal disease. Incidence of root rot usually noticed at the time of first irrigation or after rain. Incidence of leaf spot usually noticed at later stages in the September-October months around 120–140 days old crop. Among the abiotic stress, i.e., Para wilt, Tirak, yellowing of the cotton crop, drying of the cotton crop due to water stagnation, leaf reddening of 110the cotton crop, phyo-toxicity in cotton crop due to pesticides, etc., are the important constraints. These all-abiotic stresses are being noticed since the last 4–5 years in the cotton belt of Punjab and causing great yield loss. An incidence of abiotic stresses are becoming increasing in the long duration cotton crop as it leads to more exposure to the change in the environmental conditions, improper cultural practices, or sprays of the pesticides adopted by the farmers in raising the cotton crop.