Cotton natural pesticides

Structural and Genetic Variation of Natural Pesticides in Pigment Glands of Cotton (Gossypium)... 

The starting point in the textile supply chain is the raw material preparation. Textile fibres are obtained from two main sources natural (cellulose or animal) fibres or synthetic fibres. Natural cellulosic fibres include conventional and organic cottons, rayon, linen, hemp, jute, ramie and sisal. Cotton is used to produce 40% of world textile products (Saicheua et al., 2012). The major environmental concern in cellulosic fibre production, especially for cotton fibre, is the chemical fertilizers and pesticides used during cultivation. The second concern is the high level of water consumption (Dave and Aspegren, 2010 Muthu, 2014). Cotton is one of the most popular natural fibres used in the world. Three percent of the world s cultivated land is used for cotton production and 16% of the world s insecticides are used on this crop alone (Saicheua et al., 2012 Muthu, 2014). Moreover, the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, machinery and electricity causes some human health and environmental problems. Also cotton growing requires 7—29 tonnes of water per kg of raw cotton fibres (KaUiala and Nousiainen, 1999). Other types of cellulosic fibres are hemp and flax, which can be considered to be the most significant sustainable fibres in the non cotton natural fibre sector (Werf, 2004 Muthu, 2014). 

The microorganism was classified as a new species of actinomycete. Streptomyces avermitilis. Its anthelmintic activity was shown to reside in 8 closely related macrocyclic lactones, named avermectins, which were also found to possess activity against free-living and parasitic arthropods. One of the natural components, avermectin is now being evaluated as a pesticide for the control of mites of citrus and cotton crops and control of the Red Imported Fire Ant. A chemical derivative, 22,23-dihydroavermectin or ivermectin, has been developed as an antiparasitic agent. It is being marketed for use in cattle, horses and sheep and is expected to become available for swine and dogs. 

Hemp can be used as a substitute for cotton in clothing and linens. It is naturally resistant to most pests, eliminating the need for toxic pesticides. Cotton production uses 50 percent of all the world s pesticides. 

Organic cotton production is the only farming system by which cotton is produced entirely free of chemical pesticides - and thereby without the risks that such chemicals pose to human health and the environment. Organic cotton production represents an alternative farming system within which natural predator populations are nurtured within cotton production zones, and measures such as intercropping and crop rotation are used to halt the development of cotton pest populations ... 

The natural biogeochemical peculiarities (see Chapter 4, Section 4 and Chapter 6, Section 4), which favor the development of endemic diseases were complicated by anthropogenic activity. In the area of the Volga-Ural watershed and the Ustyurt plateau, this activity is connected with oil explorations and oil-chemical industry. The watershed of Amu-Daria and Syr-Daria rivers is the agricultural area with intensive irrigated cotton production with application of heavy rates of pesticides and fertilizers. 

In conclusion, soil composition (pesticide residue) played an important role in controlling fabric/soll Interactions. Captan, an aqueous suspension of particles, was more difficult to remove In 100% cotton denim. This was attributed to particle size and the clay-llke nature of the materials comprising the pesticide formulation. 

By genetic engineering, a soil bacterium Bacillus thuringienis or BT) has been modified to produce pesticides that are more toxic than natural ones. The modified genes have then been inserted into crop plants to create crops that synthesize their own pesticides. There is Bt corn with a toxin that destroys the European corn borer and other pests, and there is Bt cotton protected against the cotton bollworm and the budworm. 

Special instmctions depend upon the hazards of the specific CMR and may vary among experts. Instmctions will emphasize the serious nature of exposure and will generally follow precautions found in OSHA s substance-specific standards. Twenty-eight (28) of OSHA s 30 substance-specific standards are direct CMRs. The other two, bloodbome pathogens and cotton dust, are related indirectly (HBV may cause liver cancer and cotton dust includes pesticide residues). 

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