The ultimate aim of any modern corporate is growth with profit maximization. Growth is the first and foremost characteristic of nature and its products which include modern societies with all their industrial, agricultural and service sectors and above all the research organizations to cater to the needs of primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. Governed by the laws of the universe and nature, societies, markets and above all human life are in the constant churn of development in the realm of creativity and innovativeness.

This paper discloses the fact that heavy and unscientific dosages of chemical pesticides and application practices seriously affect the ecological and environmental balance. Thus, this paper attempts to highlight some important issues associated with cotton cropping in Guntur district like land preparation, seed treatment, intercropping, crop rotation and avoidance of contiguous cotton fields. This study also analyses the pest management practices at different stages of crop growth and points out certain interesting findings about the cotton growers. Firstly, they are not fully aware of the importance of pre-sowing pest management practices. Secondly, the cotton farmers are not accustomed to using the labeled seeds. Thirdly, the farmers are not fully familiar with the use of different control methods, though most of them are in a position to correctly identify the various pests, insects and diseases attacking the crop. This can be attributed to the excessive dependence of the farmers on the dealers, company agents and their fellow farmers for identification as well as adoption of control measures without resorting to the agricultural extension personnel adopting the chemical method. This study concludes that there is a need to educate the farmers about the pest management practices through training and timely demonstration.

Use of chemical pesticides and insecticides are the main component of pest and disease management practices. But heavy and unscientific dosages of chemical pesticides and application practices seriously affect the ecological and environmental balance. Pesticide usage also causes irreparable damage to human beings, either directly or indirectly. Seepage of heavy pesticide residues into water and soil makes the water polluted and soil diseased. Pollution makes the water un-potable, lowers fish production and contaminates the food. The effluents discharged by the pesticide manufacturing plants also get into the ‘food chain’. In the Indian context, food commodities, for these reasons, right from wheat and rice to milk and milk products, are found to contain high levels of pesticide residues of DDT, BHC, Diledrin and Malathion. On an average, an Indian’s body has the highest DDT levels rangingfrom 12.8 to 3.1 PPM. Further, WHO has graded most of the pesticides used by Indian farmers as hazardous (Ravi and Thimmaiah 1995:51). It was also established that, usage of hazardous pesticides leads to asthma and skin disorders, enlargement of liver, psychological problems and to some extent, even degeneration of nerves, often resulting in paralysis. It was further reported that pesticide poisoning is causing large casualties (Parvinder 1997:50).