Used of pesticides in cottonseed cultivars. Present trends.

Abstract

The paper reviews the world production of cotton and the use of pesticides in its growth. The risks derived from their abuse, especially chlorinated ones, are commented. Organophosphorous pesticides and carbamates have a wider spectrum of activity and less environmental persistence, although their are more toxic for mammalian beings. Since the 70th, the «piretrinas» have solved some of the problems derived from pets with resistance to the above mentioned two pesticides. Nevertheless, utilization of pesticides in this culture should be diminished since their use is not efficient nowadays and even in some cases there is a production decrease. On the other hand, consumers are progressively demanding the so called «ecological products». Thus, EU countries should be more restrictive with respect to the pesticides tolerances in cotton to be able to use the «Ecological label» of the European Union.