Sustainable Insect Pest Management in Cotton Cultivation: A Review of Challenges and Integrated Approaches for Maharashtra, India
Abstract
Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a vital commercial crop in Maharashtra, contributing substantially to the agricultural economy and rural livelihoods. However, chronic insect pest infestations, particularly by bollworm complexes and sucking pests, threaten productivity. Overreliance on chemical pesticides has led to resistance development, ecological imbalances, and environmental and health hazards. This review synthesizes current knowledge on sustainable pest management strategies for cotton in Maharashtra, with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). We examine the status of major pests, limitations of conventional practices, and evidence-based sustainable alternatives. Key findings highlight that while Btcotton initially reduced bollworm pressure, field-evolved resistance in pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) has diminished its efficacy. IPM approaches integrating cultural, biological, botanical, and judicious chemical methods show promise in reducing pesticide dependence while maintaining yields. However, adoption barriers persist, including knowledge gaps and infrastructural constraints. The review concludes that farmer education, participatory extension, and supportive policies are crucial for scaling sustainable pest management in Maharashtra'scotton belt.
Keywords
Download Options
Introduction
Cotton, often termed 'white gold,' is a cornerstone of agriculture in Maharashtra, particularly in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. The state accounts for approximately one-third of India'stotal cotton cultivation area (National and state agriculture department cotton status paper, 2015). Despite its economic significance, cotton production faces severe challenges from insect pests, leading to substantial yield losses estimated at 20-50% annually in the absence of effective management (ICAR-CICR, 2019).
The pest complex in Maharashtra includes lepidopteran bollworms (American bollworm: Helicoverpa armigera; pink bollworm: Pectinophora gossypiella; spotted bollworm: Earias vittella) and sucking pests (jassids: Amrasca biguttula biguttula; aphids: Aphis gossypii; whiteflies: Bemisia tabaci; mealybugs: Phenacoccus solenopsis) (Dhawan, 2019). The introduction of Btcotton expressing Cry toxins initially provided effective control of bollworms, but field-evolved resistance in pink bollworm has become a major concern in recent years (Naik et al., 2018; Dhurua & Gujar, 2011). Excessive dependence on synthetic pesticides has led to multiple adverse consequences: development of resistance in target pests (Naveen et al., 2017), resurgence of secondary pests (Kumar et al., 2024), destruction of natural enemies, environmental contamination, and health hazards for farmers (Peshin et al., 2014). This scenario necessitates a paradigm shift toward sustainable, eco-friendly pest management strategies.
This review aims to: (1) analyze the current pest scenario in Maharashtra'scotton ecosystem; (2) evaluate the limitations of conventional pest management practices; (3) synthesize evidence-based sustainable alternatives with emphasis on IPM; and (4) identify adoption barriers and policy recommendations for scaling sustainable practices.
Conclusion
Sustainable insect pest management in Maharashtra'scotton sector is imperative for ecological security, farmer health, and long-term productivity. The review demonstrates that while technological components of IPM are available, their integration and adoption require systemic changes. The resurgence of pink bollworm resistance underscores the limitations of singular technological solutions like Btcotton. Successful transition to sustainable pest management requires: (1) context-adaptive IPM packages, (2) robust farmer participatory research and extension, (3) market mechanisms for quality biocontrol agents, and (4) conducive policies that incentivize ecological practices. Multidisciplinary efforts involving entomologists, economists, extension specialists, and farmers can transform Maharashtra'scotton cultivation toward sustainability, ensuring the viability of this crucial crop for future generations.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflict of interest.
