Improvement in Agro-Technologies for a Pest Free Quality Cotton Production - A Review on Indian Context

摘要

Cotton is grown commercially in India under Asiatic, American or Egyptian cotton groups and is primarily used for its natural fibre. The current scenario in cotton revolves round increased cost of cultivation not commensurating with the out put, spread of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton, change in pest status as a result ofBt cotton cultivation, application of new molecules and deterioration of quality of ecosystem. Since the major emphasis in its cultivation has been the cost-cutting and low energy intensive farming with very low biotic pressure to harvest the better produce, improved agronomy has been in the forefront both from the point of integrated crop management and higher yield/quality. Of late there is a growing interest towards realization of millennium developmental goals through promoting green agriculture aimed at successful management of both natural and nianmade resources while maintaining or enhancing the quality of environment and conserving natural resources. With new role in agriculture, recent agronomic approaches encompass appropriate & effective amalgamation of crop management tools that involves the blending of traditional knowledge with modem science. It is only such a blend that will empower the farming community in meeting the challenges posed by climate change and transboundary pests, as well as shrinking per capita land and water availability and expanding biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, many of the agronomic practices that lower down the production costs assistin diminishing the pests load, increasing output and having better acceptability; are certainly adopted by the farmers. The details of improved agro-technologies for quality fibre production in Cotton on the context of India are discussed.