Can. Enr. 109: 1359-1374 (1977) A general population model for cotton growth and development is presented. The model captures the essential properties of the biological processes, and is sufficiently flexible to the incorporation of complex physiological and behavioral characteristics. The model has been used successfully to simulate the growth and development of Acala SJ-I1 cotton in California. The mathematical framework for coupling plants and herbivores has been presented, and the biological implications of their damage to the plant examined in a very general way.

The growth parameters for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were examined via optimization studies to determine if the observed values were optimal for the season lengths and weather patterns found in California and Nicaragua. The parameters observed for Nicaraguan cotton were further examined to determine if predation by boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boh.) of small cotton fruit (squares) could explain the observed discrepancies. All of the observed growth parameters except the fruit bud production rate for the Acala SJ II variety of cotton which is grown in California appeared to be reasonably optimal for California condition (i.e. boll weevil does not occur in California). By contrast, the parameters for the Nicaraguan variety were sub-optimal if boll weevil was excluded from the analysis, but near optimal if the population dynamics of pest were included.