Culture
Cotton
Crop specification
Mali:
1st African producer ahead of Burkina Faso
Cultivated areas:
698 158 ha (in 2018-2019)
Markets:
90% of the production is exported. Most of the production is exported to Asia and more specifically China
Production mode:
open field winter cultivation; cultivated on small family farms, in rotation with cereals and vegetables
Mainly cultivated in the southern part of the country in the regions:
Sikasso, Koutiala, Koulikoro, Kayes
Focus on a major issue of Malian cotton: helicoverpa armigera
DESCRIPTION:
Butterfly whose larvae (caterpillars), highly polyphagous, can consume a wide range of plants, including cotton.
FAVORABLE FACTORS:
- Previous crop tomato
- Early sowing
- Absence of weeding promoting stress in the plant
SYMPTOMS:
Total or partial destruction of fruiting organs.
IMPACTS AND DAMAGES:
Yield losses and economic losses.
BIOLOGY:
- Helicoverpa armigera lifecycle: 25 to 40 days
- Cotton cycle length: 5 months
- About 4 generations per season
- 300 to 3000 eggs laid per female
PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES:
- Crop rotation and diversification
- Permanent monitoring of pests
- Use of bio-insecticides
- Crop rotation and diversification
- Permanent monitoring of pests
- Use of bio-insecticides