**2. Need for effective crop management and processing practices**

Alternating the soil and water, as well as increased chemical use, such as that of pesticides and fertilizers, is having an impact on life as we realize it. In children, methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) is a disease caused by nitrates, which originate from nitrogen fertilizers. In California, the amount of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions has risen to 11 million pounds, and disorders linked to pesticides

*Integrated Pest Management in Cotton DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.114183*

are now the third most common. Recently, 13 insecticides that kill birds have been registered for use on cotton. The most hazardous result of utilizing these herbicides is that fish and other wildlife cannot reproduce [9].

Environmental protection, financial success, and social and economic equality are the three objectives of sustainable agriculture. In this context, it is important to preserve and improve land and natural resources while also taking into account consumer safety, health, and work conditions for farmers, as well as rural residents' wants and expectations. Sustainable crop production adheres to methods that respect human rights, the environment, and local and rural populations while also raising crops in an ethical and ecological manner. Sustainable crop management is centered on agricultural practices that are maintained over an extended period of time with little or no impact on the environment.

#### **2.1 Soil management**

Organic farming demands healthy soil. The soil serves as both a medium for plant growth and a living system that maintains the soil's health and productivity. Compost, effective nutrient recycling, cover crops, and regular crop rotation can all substitute for synthetic fertilizers [10].

#### **2.2 Weeds management**

Hoes and other mechanical tools, crop rotation, effective irrigation water usage, intercropping, the use of mulches, modifying plant densities, and adjusting panting dates can all be used to restrict the growth of weeds [11].

#### **2.3 Insect pest management**

Farmers can decrease the probability of insects and harm to crops caused by birds or mammals, a variety of living things. Insect predators and crop rotate your crops, use biological pesticides like neem oil, and Pests can be managed by intercropping by the cultivators [12]. There are seven essential conditions that must be maintained in order to effectively combat pests. In that sequence, the following are listed: (i) diagnosis, (ii) combat plan, (iii) timing of application, (iv) choice of pesticide, (v) choice of instrument, (vi) application, and (vii) supervision [13]. When these are applied in the management's order throughout a plant protection process, success is quite likely to occur.

#### **2.4 Harvesting**

Particularly in developing nations, organic cotton is typically harvested by hand without the use of machines, chemicals, or defoliants, which minimizes waste.
