Cotton Leaf Curl Virus Disease in District Jhang Punjab Pakistan
Raees Abbas *
Institute of Agriculture, Extension and Rural Development, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 4000, Pakistan.
Babar Shahbaz
Institute of Agriculture, Extension and Rural Development, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 4000, Pakistan.
Nadeem Abbas Shah
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Nowshad Khan
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Ejaz Ashraf
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Agriculture College and University of Sargodha, Pakistan.
Badar Naseem Siddiqui
Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Pir Meher Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cotton is the most important cash crop of the country which significantly contributes to the Pakistan’s economy. It is a significant source of foreign exchange earnings. Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCV) is one of the most lethal diseases of the cotton crop. The cheap quality and low standard cotton comes in the market due to the lack of farmer’s knowledge about CLCV. The study is conducted to assess the knowledge level of farmer’s regarding different aspects of cotton leaf curl virus in Tehsil Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. The data is collected by using a pre-tested scheduled interview and interpreted by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). All the respondents are aware of Cotton Leaf Curl Virus disease. About 45.8% of the respondent has very high level of knowledge about the damage caused by CLCV, 22.5% have high, 15.8% medium, 10% low and 5.8% have very low level of knowledge. The knowledge of farmer community about cotton leaf curl virus is poor due to which cotton leaf curl virus has become a big threat of cotton. Keeping this in view, the present study was designed. Incidence and severity of CLCV in the Punjab, Pakistan must be reduced. This is possible by a sound, viable and dynamic integrated disease management program.
Keywords: Cotton, CLCV, livelihoods, curl virus disease, economy