📄 Abstract
Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the most important fiber crops globally, playing a vital role in the agricultural and economic sectors of many countries. However, its production is severely constrained by various diseases that affect plant health, reduce yield, and deteriorate fiber quality. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the most widespread cotton diseases, including fungal, bacterial, and viral infections, and evaluates scientifically proven control strategies. Among fungal pathogens, Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum are recognized for causing wilt diseases that lead to leaf yellowing, vascular blockage, and plant death. Colletotrichum spp. causes anthracnose, leading to necrotic lesions on bolls and stems. Bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum, manifests as water-soaked lesions and severely affects crop growth and productivity. Viral infections such as Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCuV), primarily transmitted by whiteflies, result in leaf deformation, stunting, and severe yield loss. To manage these diseases, a multi-dimensional strategy is essential. Agro-biological methods such as crop rotation, soil sanitation, and the use of disease-resistant cultivars serve as the first line of defense. Chemical treatments using fungicides, bactericides, and insecticides help reduce the disease burden during the crop season. In addition, biological control agents like Trichoderma spp., Bacillus subtilis, and Pasteuria penetrans offer environmentally sustainable alternatives. This review also highlights contributions from international researchers regarding pathogen biology, disease mechanisms, and control innovations. An integrated disease management approach combining prevention, early diagnosis, and targeted intervention is key to sustainable cotton production and global food and fiber security.
🏷️ Keywords
📚 How to Cite:
Sattarova Rano Kadirovna, Sulaymonova Gulasal Nurilloevna , COMMON DISEASES OF COTTON AND CONTROL MEASURES , Volume 13 , Issue 5, may 2025, EPRA International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Economic Research (ARER) ,