Controlling Cotton's Insect Pests: A New System
Perry L. Adkisson 1,
George A. Niles 2,
J. Knox Walker 3,
Luther S. Bird 4, and
Helen B. Scott 5
1 Deputy chancellor for agriculture at Texas A&M University, College Station 77843
2 Professor of agronomy at Texas A&M University, College Station 77843
3 Professor of entomology at Texas A&M University, College Station 77843
4 Professor of plant pathology at Texas A&M University, College Station 77843
5 Associate editor in agricultural communications at Texas A&M University, College Station 77843
Cotton is more heavily treated with insecticides than any other crop in the United States. In southern Texas, this heavy treatment resulted in insecticide- resistant strains of major pests which almost destroyed the industry in the late 1960's and early 1970's. An integrated insect control program based on new short-season cotton varieties and traditional cultural practices has restored production in the area. The new system has been widely implemented because it produces greater net returns by reducing the use of insecticides, fertilizer, and irrigation.
