**8. Weed control**

Due to weeds' competition for resources including water, light, nutrients, and space, weeds can seriously harm cotton output [65]. Weeds' sluggish appearance and development rates make cotton particularly vulnerable to them [66]. *Amaranthus viridis* L*., Portulaca oleracea* L*., Convolvulus arvensis* L*., Digera arvensis* Forssk., *Xanthium strumariun* L.*, Cyperus rotundus L., Echinochloa colona* (L.) Link, and *Cynodon* 

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

*dactylon* (L.) Pers. is among the common cotton weeds in Pakistan [40]. In the first 60 days of crop growth, these weeds are the most damaging because, in addition to contributing to low output owing to the sharing of crop nutrients, they can also act as a secondary home for pests and viruses that affect cotton [67].

Pre-emergence herbicides such pendimethalin or S-metolachlor, which can control the weeds for at least 35–40 days after planting, must be used to control the weeds at the early stage [68]. Post-emergence herbicides including haloxyfop-R-methyl, fluazifop-P-butyl, and quizalofop-p-ethyl have been given permission to be used to manage weeds in cotton [69]. Weeds are eradicated after reemergence either manually or with the help of recently imported Chinese mini-hoeing devices [70]. The majority of farmers combine the use of pesticides with mechanical weed management to effectively control weeds [71]. It is necessary to continue the weeding procedure until the plants form a canopy that shadows the weeds and inhibits their development [72].
