Mato Grosso cotton sanitary void set for October

The cotton sanitary void in Mato Grosso, Brazil, is scheduled to begin in October and continue through December for the 2026/2027 harvest. Established by the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Defense (Indea-MT), the measure prohibits the existence of plants with phytosanitary risks during specific windows to control the cotton bollworm.

The schedule is divided into two regions: Region I, running from October 1 to November 30, and Region II, running from October 15 to December 14. This period without host plants is a primary strategy to interrupt the life cycle of the bollworm, which can cause significant production losses by attacking flower buds and destroying fibers and seeds.

Mato Grosso is a major global producer, accounting for approximately 70% of Brazil's total cotton production. Controlling this pest is critical, as moisture and rainy periods can favor its development and increase its destructive impact on the crop.