Cotton Genetic Improvement for Insect Resistance; Integrating Plant Breeding and Entomological Approaches for Sustainable Pest Management

Abstract

Cotton is a major fiber and cash crop globally; the productivity of the crop is halting by insect pests which result in huge yield and economic losses. The conventional use of chemical insecticides has also given concern to the issue of resistance development, environmental risks and production expense which has carried out the awful need of alternative methods that are sustainable. The present paper discusses the genetic enhancement of cotton to insect resistance with a particular focus on the combination of plant breeding and entomological strategies as the means of sustainable pest control. The traditional breeding techniques, such as hybridization, recurrent selection and utilization of the wild relatives have high genetic diversity in terms of host plant resistance. The contemporary molecular methods include the Marker Assisted Selection, Gene Pyramiding and RNA interference technology that has been utilized to improve accuracy of breeding programs, transgenic Bt cotton known worldwide to alleviate pesticide pressure and reduce pest. Moreover, with the introduction of CRISPR-Cas genome editing previously unattainable opportunities to selectively modify the genes related to resistance are presented. Entomological knowledge especially under the concept of Integrated Pest Management enhances them by harmonizing ecological activities with the genetic technologies. The future opportunities are to create multi resistant and climate tolerant cotton strains, biotechnological and ecological approaches and support the transition to biotechnology by favorable policies towards farmers. The integration of the progress in genetics, biotechnology and entomology can assurance the sustainability of cotton in the long track increase in productivity and environmental safety.