Severe Ball Rot Pest Outbreak Hits Cotton in Andhra-Telangana

26-Aug-2025 02:00 PM

Vijayawada. Deadly outbreak of ball rot pest is being seen on cotton crop in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, two leading cotton producing states of South India. It is a complex disease which is spread by a group of fungal and bacterial pathogens.

Unseasonal and excessive rains in both these states during the current year are making it easier for this disease to flourish and spread.

The deadly outbreak of this disease is likely to have an adverse effect on the average yield rate, total production and quality of cotton.

A survey conducted by Jodhpur-based institution - South Asia Biotechnology Center in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Banavasi has confirmed that the outbreak of both external and internal varieties of cotton rot disease is spreading. Its infection is increasing rapidly in Kurnool and other areas of Royal Seema Division.

In the central southern part of India, ball rot has long been considered to be the most economically damaging crop for the cotton crop and its deadly outbreak is especially in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other adjoining areas.

If the conditions remain favorable, this disease proves to be extremely devastating for the cotton crop. For the first time in the last decade, this disease has crossed the economic base loss limit of 20 percent. Its most profound effect is being seen in Kurnool district.

In Andhra Pradesh, the sowing area of ​​cotton has increased to a peak level of 3.39 lakh hectares during the current Kharif season.

This time the crop was sown on time and its condition was also good in the initial stage, but now it is feared to suffer a lot of damage due to the attack of insects and diseases. The yield rate of cotton may fall by 15-20 percent.