EFFECT OF ROW SKIPPING IN TREE COTTON (GOSSYPIUM-ARBOREUM) ON EFFICACY OF CHEMICAL CONTROL OF SPOTTED BOLLWORMS (EARIAS-VITTELLA AND E-INSULANA) AND PINK-BOLLWORM (PECTINOPHORA-GOSSYPIELLA)

The effect of skipping a row at sowing to provide a path for spray ope ration was studied on the efficacy of chemical control of bollworms on 'LD 327' tree cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) during 1992 and 1993. Sk ipping the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rows was compared with no skipping at 3 locations during 1992. However, skipping of fourth row w as omitted in subsequent trials in 1993. Average data of locations and years showed that skipping every fifth row at sowing proved significa ntly better than no skipping as well as skipping of sixth and seventh rows in lowering the incidence of spotted bollworms (Earias vittella F abr. and E. insulana Boisd.) and pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiel la Saund.) as well as stained seed-cotton. Besides compensating for th e missing row, this treatment also increased the seed-cotton yield by 15.2 and 20.1% during 1992 and 1993 respectively.