#Natural Fibers

2025-10-16

Special Issue: A research review on the Cotton Jassid

The Indian cotton jassid, Amrasca biguttula, has been a plague on the global cotton industry multiple times in recent years — in Iraq (2017), West Africa (2021–2022), Puerto Rico (2023) — and is now a serious concern for the United States and multiple other cotton-producing nations.

ICAC Chief Scientist, Dr Keshav Kranthi, highlights the history of a pest he calls "an unfortunate global citizen" due to its ability to spread from region to region. "This polyphagous pest has now infiltrated cotton-growing regions worldwide, from the dry fields of West Africa to the Caribbean islands and the southeastern United States," Dr Kranthi, editor of The Recorder, says in his opening letter. "For over a century, it has plagued Asia and Oceania, spanning from Iran to Japan and Micronesia, where it feeds on a broad array of economically vital crops, including cotton."

This edition of The ICAC Recorder features a single, in-depth, scientific review article — a comprehensive 45+ page treatise co-authored by Dr Keshav Kranthi and Dr Sandhya Kranthi, distinguished agricultural scientists with over 34 years of expertise in cotton research, technology development, and extension for smallholder farmers.

The article presents an extensive synthesis of knowledge on the cotton jassid, covering a broad spectrum of topics, including:

+++ Historical overview, taxonomy, and global distribution,

+++ Biology of the pest, reproductive dynamics, modes of dispersal, damage potential, and host range,

+++ Influence of agronomic factors such as sowing dates, fertilizers, pesticides, crop density, weather, and ecosystem interactions on pest incidence,

+++ Surveillance and scouting methods, damage grading systems, economic thresholds, and integrated pest management (IPM) and insecticide resistance management (IRM) strategies,

+++ Mechanisms of host plant resistance and breeding strategies for developing resistant cultivars, and

+++ Management approaches involving resistant varieties, agronomic practices, trapping methods, biological control, and the use of botanical, microbial, and chemical pesticides.+++

The jassid threat shows no signs of abating, and as Dr Kranthi says in the conclusion to his opening editorial, "Global collaboration is essential to combat this 'global citizen' before it exacts further tolls."

In addition to this special edition of The Recorder, the ICAC has created a special session to address the jassid at the upcoming 83^rd Plenary Meeting (Mwanza, Tanzania, Nov 17-20, 2025, see agenda and register here). Entitled "Brain-storming on Combating the Global Jassid Invasion," the Third Open Session features six expert speakers and will be held Nov 18 from 12:30-2:30 PM.

To read the free September 2025 issue of The ICAC Recorder, please click here:

https://icac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Recorder-September-2025.pdf

Organic cotton at the crossroads: Ideology, evidence, and the road ahead

Organic cotton occupies one of the most contentious spaces in global agriculture. While praised by brands and consumers for its environmental ideals, it also faces persistent questions about yield stability, certification integrity, and scalability. The current edition of The ICAC Recorder cuts through the ideology to deliver a rigorous, evidence-based assessment of both sides of the debate.

Dr N Vigneshwaran is named 2026 ICAC Researcher of the Year

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr N Vigneshwaran, Principal Scientist and Head of the Chemical and Biochemical Processing Division at the ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT), Mumbai, India, as the ICAC Researcher of the Year 2026.

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

Reju opens its first R&D Center in the U.S. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Reju, the company specializing in textile regeneration, today announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company's first proprietary research center in North America. Located within Technip Energies' existing Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center, the lab will allow Reju to accelerate the rollout of its recycling technologies and develop its next-generation circular solutions.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.