Matthews (pest management, U. of London) give a sound (though partial) update of Pearson's The Insect pests of cotton in tropical Arica. Chemical control remains the best means, but misuse is common. This work, therefore, focuses on the principles of selection, the timing and method of application. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The cotton plant; Insects and mites; Pest management.

Provides a comprehensive overview of the role of cotton in the economy and cotton production around the world This book offers a complete look at the world’s largest fiber crop: cotton. It examines its effect on the global economy—its uses and products, harvesting and processing, as well as the major challenges and their solutions, recent trends, and modern technologies involved in worldwide production of cotton. Cotton Production presents recent developments achieved by major cotton producing regions around the world, including China, India, USA, Pakistan, Turkey and Europe, South America, Central Asia, and Australia. In addition to origin and history, it discusses the recent advances in management practices, as well as the agronomic challenges and the solutions in the major cotton producing areas of the world. Keeping a focus on global context, the book provides sufficient details regarding the management of cotton crops. These details are not limited to the choice of cultivar, soil management, fertilizer and water management, pest control, cotton harvesting, and processing. The first book to cover all aspects of cotton production in a global context Details the role of cotton in the economy, the uses and products of cotton, and its harvesting and processing Discusses the current state of cotton management practices and issues within and around the world’s cotton producing areas Provides insight into the ways to improve cotton productivity in order to keep pace with the growing needs of an increasing population Cotton Production is an essential book for students taking courses in agronomy and cropping systems as well as a reference for agricultural advisors, extension specialists, and professionals throughout the industry.

The book covers many recent advances pertaining to research on cotton. The useful information is provided on the marks of identification, life cycle, damage, hosts and various control measures of cotton pests. The book also provides rearing technique for some cotton pests and their biocontrol agents (parasitoids). As biological control is integral part of pest management, emphasis is given on the cotton-pest parasitoid interactions. Many cotton pests have developed the resistance against several insecticides. Infact, insecticidal use leads to very serious problems like secondary pest out-break, pest resurgence, interruption in ecocycles, air and water pollution, health hazards, killing of beneficial insects, etc. The knowledge on cotton pest parasitoids will facilitate the control of pests on cotton ecosystem by biological means. Several plates and illustrations enhance the pictorial value of the book. This book will be a useful guide to farmers, students, teachers and researchers in the pest management and of use as text book at graduate/post graduate level in agriculture. Contents: Chapter 1: Introduction, Chapter 2: Cotton Pests and their Control, Chapter 3: Rearing of Pests and their Parasitoids, Chapter 4: Pest Parasitoid Interactions (i) Nutrition, (ii) Mating Behaviour, (iii) Oviposition Behaviour (iv) Superparasitism, (v) Host Age Selection, (vi) Host Specificity, (vii) Life Tables and Intrinsic Rate of Increase, Chapter 5: Pest Parasitoid Crop Interactions, Chapter 6: Summary.

This book explores ecologically sound and innovative techniques in insect pest management in field and protected crops. From a general overview of pest management to new biorational insecticides such as insect growth regulators, and new strategies to reduce resistance, the coverage is entirely up-to-date. Other chapters describe advances in pest management of important crops such as cotton, corn, oilseed rape and various vegetables.

Factors affecting cotton production practices; Contemporary practices for pest management; Current trends and future alternatives in pest management; Developments in the cotton industry with potential; Delivery of integrated pest management programs; Effects of adopting alternative pest control practives; Relative environmental stress of producing.