Cotton Pest Management: Part 2. A US Perspective

Abstract

This overview of cotton insect management in the United States is presented for comparison with cotton insect management systems in other regions of the world. Readers are encouraged to consult more extensive reviews (6, 13-16,23,26,27,29.35,40-42) for information on specific topics related to cotton pest management in the US. Cotton production in the US is presently a highly mechanized industry that depends on efficient management of resources and maximum utilization of new technology. Prior to the 1950s, US cotton production was a labor-intensive system (23, 32). The current total annual production of 3.5 million metric tons (24) ranks second in the world-only China produces more-and the US exports -42% of its cotton, making it the second leading cotton exporter behind the collective nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS, formerly USSR). Cotton is grown on 4.5 million ha of US cropland. Although some pima cotton (Gossypium barbadense) is grown, upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) accounts for 98% of the harvested area and total production. The climatic environments in which US cotton grows vary widely in amount of rainfall and length of growing season. Although irrigation is becoming more common, most cotton is grown without irrigation in the southeastern US. In the western desert valleys, irr igation is essential. Northern areas such as the Texas High Plains (204-day growing season)