Pink bollworm attack may affect 2.8 mln ha of cotton in Maharashtra.

Around 2.8 mln ha or about 67% of the total cotton acreage in Maharashtra may have so far been affected by pink bollworm attack. Major damage to the crop is likely in Yavatmal, Akola and Amravati districts of Vidarbha region, along with Jalna, Parbhani, Aurangabad, Nanded, Jalgaon and Beed in Marathwada. The cotton fields in the regions faced widespread infestation despite the use of genetically modified bollworm-resistant BG-II seeds. However, survey of the area affected due topest attack is still being carried out at the district level and is expected to be much higher than 2.8 mln ha.