Cotton

Cotton

Cotton was one of the earliest crops for which AOSCA developed certification standards and today, member Agencies from one coast to the other in the United States provide certification and inspection services for this important crop.

This website section will include information about AOSCA programs related to this important crop.

AOSCA does not administer a National Variety Board for cotton, as it does for some crops. Varieties enter into certification programs through a process conducted by individual seed certification agencies in those states where cotton is commonly grown. AOSCA member Agencies provide certification for seed that is grown following long-standing standards adopted for cotton.

As technology brings changes to agriculture and the seed industry, AOSCA continues to develop expanded programs and services to meet new challenges.

Recent advances in biotechnology have led to the development of cotton varieties with insect resistance traits, allowing the plant to protect itself from damage caused by harmful pests without the use of insecticides. Growers who use these new insect-protected varieties must comply with USEPA requirements for Insect Resistance Management (IRM) refuges. The purpose of the refuge strategy is to prevent the potential threat of target pests developing resistance to the technology and leading to a loss in value and benefit of the traits.

Beginning in 2006, AOSCA and seed certification agencies from cotton-producing states across the United States conducted on-farm surveys with growers who use this technology. These assessment surveys are intended to determine the level of overall compliance with the requirements and to build awareness of the importance of IRM strategies. This is another example of the types of AOSCA services available to seed producers and growers who depend upon access to high quality seeds with improved traits.

For more information about AOSCA programs that support the cotton industry, please contact the AOSCA office.