Mission:
The mission of the Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Research Unit is to expand knowledge of the genetics and molecular processes of cotton, of the biology of selected cotton pests, of sustainable agricultural crop production practices, and of sustainable management of swine effluent and poultry litter. This knowledge will be used to develop improved strategies and practices that will improve cotton genetics and breeding, pest control, sustainable crop production, and safe and efficient use of waste from swine and poultry. The expected outcomes are new technologies for cotton production and pest control methods that are friendly to the environment, economical, sustainable, and managed in a manner that will improve profits and delay the development of resistant strains of cotton pests, and safe and efficient use of waste from swine and poultry. This Research Unit develops close cooperative relationships with cotton growers, seed companies, the cotton industry, the agricultural chemical industry, academia, and other ARS research units.