India ranks first in the world in respect of acreage with about 8 million hectares under cotton and fourth in total seed cotton production (80 lakhs bales - 170 kg lint contains 1 bale).
In India, cotton is cultivated on large scale in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Gujarat is the largest producer of cotton in India followed by Punjab and Maharashtra.
Cotton is one of the most important fiber crops playing a key role in the history of mankind and civilization. Due to its importance in agricultural as well as industrial economy, it is also called as "white gold".
Cotton is warm season crop. It requires a mean annual temperature of over 16 ˚C and the annual rainfall of at least 1200 mm distributed throughout the growing season. A daily minimum temperature of 16 ˚C is required for germination and 21 to 27 ˚C for proper vegetative growth. It can tolerate temperatures as high as 43 ˚C but does not do well if the temperature falls below 21 ˚C. During fruiting phase, the day temperature ranging from 27 to 32 ˚C and cool nights are needed.
Cotton can be successfully grown on black to medium black soils of middle and north Gujarat regions preferably black cotton soils of "Kanam" tract of Bharuch district. Cotton needs a fertile soil with good moisture holding capacity. Good drainage and aeration are also essential, as the crop not withstand against excessive moisture and water logging conditions. It is grown on all types of soils, such as sandy loam, loam and clay loam soils.
Cotton being a deep-rooted crop requires well-prepared seedbed. The field after the harvest of the preceding crop should be ploughed 15-20 cm deep with mould board plough. Black soils require frequent harrowing as these soils are cracked when dried. While other soils are prepared by giving one ploughing followed by one harrowing.
Dibble the seeds at a depth of 3-5 cm on the side of the ridge 2/3 height from the top and above the band where fertilisers and insecticides are applied, maintaining the correct spacing and then cover seeds with soil. In the case of intercropping, sow the seeds of the intercrop in between the paired rows of cotton in a row of 5 cm apart and cover the seeds.
Sow the required number of seeds in each hole.
Method Of Sowing: Dibbling or drilling method.
Time Of Sowing: Cotton should be sown with onset of monsoon or advance planting before onset of monsoon in the soil.
Acid delinting of cottonseed: Mix 1 kg of commercial grade sulphuric acid (H2SO4) with 10 kg cottonseed in earthen /plastic container by stirring it vigorously for 2- 3 minutes with thick wooden or glass rod. As soon as the fuzz gets dissolved, add 10 litres of water, stir well and drain out water through the perforated plastic basket. Repeat these washings three times to make the seed free from acid residue. Dip the washed seed for about 1 minute in sodium bicarbonate solution (50 g Sodium bicarbonate in 20 litres of water) to neutralize the acid residue on the cottonseed. Give 1 more washing with water and remove light damaged and rotten in viable seeds floating on the surface. Dry the healthy fuzz free seed in the shade by spreading a thin layer. In case of undelinted cotton seed is used for sowing, rub it with earth, cow dung or ash to remove its fuzz and ensure its uniform distribution. Treat the seed with recommended fungicides like Thiram @ 3 g/kg of seeds before sowing.
Manures And Fertilizers: Well decomposed FYM @ 15-20 CL/ha
Gap filling is done immediately after germinating of seeds. Gap filling should be done with water-soaked seeds for quick germination and dibble the seeds at gaps. Thinning is carried out by uprooting the excess plants, which are found weak and disease infested or damaged.
After last effective rainfall, in black soils having good moisture retentive capacity for hirsutum cotton, 3 to 4 irrigations, whereas, for Asiatic cotton, 2 to 3 irrigations should be given at 20-25 days interval. Similarly, in sandy soils for hirsutum cotton, 5 to 7 irrigations and for Asiatic cotton 4 to 5 irrigations should be given at 15 to 20 days interval. In order to make furrow wet, irrigation is given in alternate furrows.
Pests: Aphids, Jassids, Thrips, White flies, Red mites, Pink boll worm, Spotted boll worm, Army worm, Mealy bug, Cotton semi-looper.
Aphids
Thrips
White flies
Pink Boll Worm
Jassids
Mealy BugsDiseases: Root rot, Fusarium wilt, Anthracnose, Bacterial blight, Leaf spot, Boll rot.
Root Rot
Fusarium Wilt
Anthracnose
Bacterial Blight
Leaf Spot
Boll RotCotton is harvested in three to four pickings by hand as the bolls mature. Picking should be done when bolls begin to fully burst and Kapas begins to hang down. The kapas thus picked should be spread in the sun to dry for two - four hours on a clean surface. Soon after the last picking, pull out the cotton sticks along with the roots from the field and bury the remaining plant debris with a soil turning plough as a sanitary measure against pests and diseases.
Well burst boll ready for harvest
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