Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
THE Cotton Research Institute (CRI) is deploying teams to investigate the reported outbreak of cotton jassids in the Checheche area of Chipinge to curb the spread of the pest.
Jassids, also known as leafhoppers, are a significant pest of cotton, feeding on the sap from the underside of leaves and leaf buds.
They can cause stunted growth, leaf curling and even leaf shedding, leading to reduced yields and economic losses.
Acting head of the CRI, Mr Marco Mare confirmed the outbreak in Matikwa in Checheche and said a team of experts will be dispatched immediately to investigate the problem.
“Our team will quickly go on the ground to assess the situation to find out the cause and give urgent recommendations.
“We need to look at the stage of the crop growth to proffer control measures,” he said.
He said knowledge of pest identification and scouting is important in eradicating the problem.
More to follow …
