Cotton is one of the important agricultural products in India. China comes at number one. Cotton is India's most important fiber cash crop providing natural fibre. Which has a prominent place in the industrial and agricultural economy of the country. Cotton crop is known as white gold due to its ever increasing consumption and diversified use in the world. Farmer brothers, the proper time for sowing has started in the month of May. Cotton can be cultivated in both irrigated and non-irrigated areas. Farmer brothers can earn extra profit by co-cropping with cotton. Similarly, for performing all the farming tasks a mini tractor is sufficient. Also, it is affordable for farmers.
Climate Requirements
If adequate irrigation facilities are available then cotton crop can be planted in the month of May itself. If there is no adequate availability of irrigation, cotton crop can be planted as soon as there is suitable monsoon rainfall. Ideal climate is necessary for a good cotton crop. It is advisable to have at least 16 degree centigrade for the crop to grow and the ideal temperature for germination to be 32 to 34 degree centigrade. At the time of fruiting, day temperature should be 25 to 30 degree centigrade and nights should be cool. At least 50 cm of rainfall is required for cotton. Rainfall more than 125 cm is harmful.
Land Selection
Cotton should have land with good water holding and drainage capacity. In areas where there is less rainfall, it is cultivated in the lands with high water holding capacity. Where irrigation facilities are available, it can be cultivated in sandy and sandy loam soils. It can be grown in mildly acidic and alkaline soils. The suitable pH value for this is 5.5 to 6.0. However, it can also be cultivated in land with pH value up to 8.5.
Field Preparation
Cotton cultivation in northern India is mainly based on irrigation. If there is not much problem of weeds in the fields. Then cotton cultivation can be done without tillage or even with minimal tillage. In south and central India, cotton is grown in rain fed black lands. After this it is enough to run the harrow 3 to 4 times. Before sowing, we put a pad in the field, so that the field becomes level.
Seed Treatment
- The seeds should be fumigated to destroy the pink larva hidden in the cotton seed. To fumigate the seed up to 40 kg, put one tablet of aluminum phosphide in the seed and keep it closed for 24 hours by making it windproof. If it is not possible to smoke, spread the seeds in the form of a thin layer in strong sunlight. And let them heat for 6 hours.
- Seed treatment with sulfuric acid will improve germination. After this treatment, the seed will no longer need fumigation.
- For sowing cotton in subirrigate conditions, sowing of 10 grams per kilogram of seed, increases the yield.
Sowing Method & Fertiliser
By preparing seedlings in polythene bags and planting them on the vacant places, the desired number of plants can be maintained. Give potash fertiliser on the basis of soil test, full amount of phosphorus and potash. And half quantity of nitrogen should be given before sowing. The remaining half quantity of nitrogen should be given at the time of flower buds formation.
Irrigation
- Do 5 to 6 irrigation after sowing, after giving fertilisers and at the time of flowering.
- Instead of laying drip lines in each row of Narma or BT, the cost of drip line is half by putting drip lines in pairs of rows.
- The time of drop-drop irrigation should be kept according to the table of Sankara Narma. When there is rain, according to the amount of rain, stop irrigation for a suitable time. Apply water at an interval of one day.
- Applying the recommended amount of nitrogen in the drop-drop irrigation system in 6 equal parts at an interval of two weeks through a drip plant. It has been found to be more suitable as compared to surface irrigation.
- In the notion yield, saving irrigation water, increasing the quality of cotton and reducing the incidence of insects.
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