Cotton

Understanding About Crop

Nutritional Value:

• Cotton is a fiber crop, so its main product (lint) is not food, but the cottonseed is used for oil extraction and animal feed.
• Cottonseed oil contains healthy fats and vitamin E, supporting heart health when used in limited quantity.
• Cottonseed meal, after oil extraction, is protein-rich but can contain gossypol, which is toxic to non-ruminant animals and humans if not processed correctly.

Dietary Diversity:

• Cotton is not a direct food crop for humans, but its oil blends into edible oils and snack items.
• Cottonseed and its by-products are important feed sources in livestock farming, especially for cattle and poultry.
• Consumption of unrefined cottonseed products may pose health risks due to natural toxins.

Economic Importance:

• Cotton is a leading fiber and cash crop globally, providing income to millions through farming, ginning, spinning, and textile manufacturing.
• By-products like seed, hulls, and cake support industries producing oil, animal feed, and even biofuel.
• All about agriculture provides timely price updates and market guidance for better farmer profits.

Crop Rotation:

• Rotating cotton with pulses, cereals, or oilseeds breaks pest and disease cycles, enriches the soil, and improves production stability.
• Good crop rotation reduces dependency on chemicals while promoting overall soil health.
• Cotton fits well in mixed and intercropping systems with vegetables or legumes to utilize resources fully.

Climate Resilience:

• Cotton grows best in warm to hot climates with 21–30°C temperature and 600–1,200mm rainfall.
• Drought-tolerant varieties and efficient irrigation help farmers handle dry spells.
• Frost or excessive rains at flowering and boll setting harm yield, so timing and location choice are important.

Health Benefits and Side Effects:

• Using refined cottonseed oil in diets can support nutrition, but unrefined products might have health risks from gossypol.
• Handling raw cotton may rarely cause skin irritation (byssinosis) or allergic reactions in sensitive persons.
• Sprayed pesticides on cotton pose risks; proper care, personal protection, and washing hands after field work are essential.

Key Features 

Climate and Soil Requirements

• Grows best in tropical and subtropical climates; 21–30°C temperature during growth enhances germination, flower, and boll development.
• Soils must be deep, well-drained loam or sandy loam with pH 6.0–7.5; avoid waterlogged, saline, or very acidic/alkaline soils for healthy root and boll growth.
• Soil rich in organic content and important nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium gives higher yields.
• Cotton requires about 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimum photosynthesis and boll opening.
• Conduct soil testing before planting to identify deficiencies and apply suitable amendments.

Land Preparation

• Deep ploughing to 25–30cm aerates the soil, followed by 2–3 harrowings for a fine tilth with no clods or weeds.
• Remove debris, stubble, and stones to prevent pest build-up and encourage uniform germination.
• Spread and incorporate 10–15 tons/ha well-rotted farmyard manure or compost before final preparation for moisture retention and soil fertility.
• Create ridges and furrows or raised beds where drainage is poor to prevent root rot.
• Proper land prep supports strong, even plant stands and long-term health of the plantation.

High-Yielding and Hybrid Seed Selection

• Use certified, pest-resistant, and region-specific varieties such as Bt cotton, high-density planting lines, or local hybrids for better yield and fiber quality.
• Choose seeds with >70% germination and free from mechanical damage and disease.
• Buy new seeds each year to maintain vigor and avoid “volunteer” cotton plants that harbor pests/diseases.
• Maintain records on variety performance to choose the best-suited types for each planting season.
• Hybrid seeds can offer better yield and boll uniformity but usually cost more than traditional types.

Seed Treatment

• Treat seeds with recommended fungicides (e.g., Carbendazim, Thiram) to prevent soil-borne fungal diseases during early growth.
• Insecticidal or biocontrol treatments deter soil pests, nematodes, and white grub attacks.
• Seed priming by soaking for a few hours in water can speed up germination and uniform sprouting.
• Let treated seeds dry in shade before sowing to preserve efficacy and prevent clumping.
• Follow all safety guidelines for handling chemical-treated seeds to avoid skin or eye irritation.

Sowing and Planting Methods

• Optimal sowing time is when soil temperature stabilizes above 18°C, usually early summer after pre-monsoon rains.
• Use seed drills or dibbling at 3–5cm depth, spacing 60–75cm between rows and 30–45cm between plants in a row for proper air flow and light use.
• Avoid sowing too deep or in tight soils to prevent poor emergence and weak plants.
• Ensure good soil-to-seed contact for uniform emergence; roll or press soil lightly after sowing if needed.
• Direct seeding is common, but transplanting is used in regions with short growing seasons to maximize crops per year.

Nutrient and Fertilizer Management

• Apply balanced nutrients based on soil testing: cotton typically needs 80–120kg N, 40–60kg P2O5, 40–50kg K2O per hectare, split across critical stages.
• Apply organic manure 2–3 weeks before planting and supplement with micronutrients like zinc, sulfur, and boron as per crop needs.
• Foliar sprays of micronutrients can help correct deficiencies during flowering and boll formation.
• Avoid over-fertilization, especially nitrogen, as it leads to tall, leafy plants with poor boll set and susceptibility to sucking pests.
• Timely fertilizer application during square formation and boll setting gives the best yield and fiber quality.

Irrigation and Water Management

• Cotton is sensitive to both drought and waterlogging; irrigation should be scheduled based on crop stage and rainfall.
• Provide sufficient water at critical stages: emergence, flowering, boll set, and boll filling; avoid excess water at maturity to prevent boll rot or shedding.
• Use drip or furrow irrigation for water efficiency and reduced fungal disease risk.
• Regular field checks and soil moisture assessment help avoid both under- and over-irrigation.
• Stop irrigation 2–3 weeks before harvest for better boll opening and fiber quality.

Intercultural Operations

• Conduct early and frequent weeding, especially in the first 6–8 weeks to reduce competition for moisture and nutrients.
• Shallow hoeing and soil stirring between rows boost aeration and root activity without harming fibrous roots.
• Earthing-up during early growth helps prevent plant lodging and exposes bolls for better sunlight.
• Remove volunteer plants and rogue off-types to maintain genetic purity and reduce disease risk.
• Timely and careful intercultural practices boost plant vigor, productivity, and boll set.

Pest Management

• Major pests: bollworm, aphids, whiteflies, jassids, red cotton bugs, and mealybugs can all impact yield and quality.
• Integrated Pest Management combines crop rotation, resistant varieties, biopesticides, and safe chemical sprays.
• Regular field scouting and use of pheromone traps or sticky cards help detect pest outbreaks early.
• Natural predators (lacewings, lady beetles) should be encouraged to keep pest numbers low.
• Avoid overuse of chemical pesticides to reduce resistance and safeguard pollinators and worker health.

Disease Management

• Cotton faces bacterial blight, wilt, anthracnose, leaf spots, and viral diseases.
• Use certified, disease-free seeds, maintain proper spacing, and rotate crops to avoid disease buildup.
• Prompt removal of infected plants and debris stops disease from spreading in the plot.
• Apply fungicides, if necessary, at early infection signs following proper guidelines and withdrawal periods.
• Maintain field sanitation and avoid excessive irrigation, which can promote fungal outbreaks.

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management

• Pick cotton bolls as they fully open and fluff, starting from bottom bolls upwards; avoid immature or unopened bolls.
• Harvest during dry weather to minimize moisture and reduce contamination risk in the lint.
• Dry seed cotton on clean tarpaulins and store in a ventilated, pest-free area before sending to the ginning factory.
• Grade and store cotton to prevent mixing of varieties and get the best market price.
• Proper post-harvest handling is key for retaining fiber length, strength, and color.

Other Important Points

• Cotton stalks, after harvest, can be used for fuel, compost, rural handicrafts, or even mushroom cultivation.
• Chemicals used on cotton can harm the environment – always use safe, approved products and follow label instructions.
• Cotton dust from processing can cause breathing issues (byssinosis) for workers; proper protection and good ventilation are a must.
• Keep up-to-date with support schemes, market news, and sustainable agro-practices on All about agriculture for higher profits and better crop care.