What was the most important crop grown in south in 19th century?

The most important crop grown in the South during the 19th century was cotton. Known as "King Cotton," it became the dominant cash crop and drove the region's economy, particularly after the invention of the cotton gin in 1793. The demand for cotton fueled the expansion of plantation agriculture and contributed to the growth of the slave trade, as enslaved labor was used extensively for its cultivation. This reliance on cotton also played a significant role in the socioeconomic dynamics leading up to the Civil War.