Population Management of Boll Weevil in Sustainable Cotton Production Systems

James R. Cate


 
ABSTRACT

The environmental and economic issues of today dictate that producers turn to and be provided production methodologies that are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable. While the national cotton industry, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has opted to channel resources and political support into a boll weevil eradication program, the scope and goal of this program has turned to one of "eradication of the boll weevil as an economic pest", suggesting that elimination of the pest from a significant geographical area (eradication) no longer is the goal. This appears to be defacto admission that eradication is not possible with current technology as determined by the National Academy of Sciences. During the past 20 years of boll weevil eradication trials, several boll weevil pest management strategies have been developed and implemented in-Texas which have allowed for suppression and management of boll weevil populations below economic levels. These programs have been evaluated ecologically and economically and appear to be highly sustainable in the context of cotton production in Texas. Pesticide usage has declined over 60%, production is more risk averse, and profits are higher while production input costs are lower. Texas cotton farmers suffer the least amount of cotton loss due to insects and spend the least amount of money for control when compared to other cotton production states.



Reprinted from 1988 Proceedings: Beltwide Cotton Production Research Conferences pp. 249 - 254
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998