Fibre Traits Analysis for Different Planting Times Under Diverse Incidence Levels of Cotton Leaf Curl Disease

Abstract

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD), is a serious threat in core cotton growing areas of Punjab (Pakistan), resulting in reduction of ginning out turn (GOT%) and deteriorating cotton fibre quality to a great extent, by comparing healthy and CLCuD infected plants was found. Abiotic & biotic factors such as white fly infestation, temperature and planting time effect cotton leaf curl disease epidemiology. The results showed that the physical properties viz; GOT %, was decreased significantly up to 11.03% and minimum decline was 0.51%. The maximum fibre length, was reduced 9.41% on 1st May sowing. The minimum value 78.5 of uniformity index (U.I%) was recorded on 15th March planting and a reduction of 9.02% in fibre strength and coarser micronaire value of -12.5 % due to CLCuD infestation for 15th March planting was witnessed.