In India, cotton (Gossypium spp) is an important fibre crop. However, on a world basis, productivity is quite low (average of 280 kg/ha). The major reasons for such low yields are drought and attacks of insect pests and plant diseases. Pesticides are therefore widely used to such an extent that >50% of total production cost is attributed to pesticides alone. Aphids, jassids, mites and whiteflies are major pests during the vegetative phase of crop growth, and bollworms during the reproductive and maturity phase. Various control measures, individually or in combination, are adopted against these pests but their efficacy, application cost and dangers to the agroecosystem are often unknown or neglected. The concept of integrated pest management (IPM) is discussed in this paper and its large scale application throughout the country has been recommended. The benefits derived from IPM, directly or indirectly, are long-lasting, economical and ecofriendly.
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