Insect Pest Dynamics and Integrated Pest Management Strategies in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under Changing Agro-Climatic Conditions

Abstract

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), a vital industrial crop supporting a $12 billion global textile industry and 350 million jobs, faces escalating threats from insect pests amid climate change, which alters pest phenology, distribution, and resistance patterns. This review examines the dynamics of key pests (e.g., bollworms, aphids, whiteflies) under shifting agro-climatic conditions rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme events leading to novel pest complexes and reduced host resistance in genetically narrow cultivars. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies are emphasized, integrating cultural practices (crop rotation, trap cropping), biological controls (parasitoids like Trichogramma, biopesticides from Neem, Bacillus thuringiensis), host-plant resistance (Bt cotton, marker-assisted breeding), and judicious chemical use with resistance monitoring. Climate-driven adaptations include predictive modeling for pest outbreaks, mating disruption via pheromones, and regenerative agriculture to enhance ecosystem resilience. Field studies demonstrate IPM reduces pesticide reliance by 30–50%, boosts yields by 15–25%, and mitigates environmental impacts. The synthesis underscores the need for adaptive, multi-tactic IPM frameworks to sustain cotton productivity in vulnerable regions like North India, ensuring economic viability and ecological balance.