Whiteflies are small, winged insects that attack cauliflower by feeding on the sap. Their infestation is more common in warm, dry weather. They can infest cauliflower at any stage, but the damage is most severe in young plants.
Damage Symptoms:
Whitefly feeding on leaves causes yellowing and wilting, often starting with small chlorotic spots.
Infested leaves become sticky due to honeydew secretion, leading to sooty mould growth on the leaves.
Severe infestations may result in stunted growth, reduced curd size, and poor crop yield.
Preventive Measures:
Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce pest populations.
Control Measures:
Apply insecticides like Imidacloprid (0.4 ml/l) or Acetamiprid (0.2 ml/l).