Biotic and abiotic stressors are a major constraint in cotton production. Abiotic stressors include factors such as field with too much or too less water or fertilizer, too low or too high temperature that may affect adversely plant growth, nutrient deficiency, herbicide injury, frost injury, pollutant injury etc.

Cotton diseases are caused by pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and nematodes which reduce the yield and quality of lint. If the seed or seedling are attacked by these pathogens, seedlings can die. Pathogens generally attack when the host plant (variety) is susceptible, and the environments are more favorable to the pathogens or less favorable to the plant. For more information on cotton diseases and management, please refer to the “Disease Management” section in the crop management.