Conventional Cotton vs. Organic Cotton
| Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|
| Seeds typically treated with fungicides or insecticides. Insecticides used account for 25% of the worlds consumption. | Uses untreated seeds. |
| Uses GMO(Genetically Modified Organisms) seeds used for approximately 70% of US-grown cotton. | Never Uses GMO(Genetically Modified Organisms) seeds. |
| Synthetic fertilizers used. | Strong soil is built using crop rotations instead of fertilizers. |
| Requires intensive irrigation. | Retains water more efficiently thanks to increased organic matter in the soil. |
| Herbicides applied to the soil to inhibit weed germination Repeatedly uses herbicides to kill weeds that do grow. Pesticides used are highly toxic and known carcinogens. | Weed growth removed physically. |
| Aerial Spraying used results in harmful drifts onto farm workers, neighboring wildlife and communities. | Weed control through cultivation and hand hoeing. Uses beneficial insects, biological and cultural practices to control pest. |
| Defoliates with toxic chemicals. | Use of trace crops to lure insects away from cotton Relies on seasonal freeze or water management for defoliation. |
Sources: Organic Cotton: Growing Together Symbiosis, Organic Essentials.