Cultivating cotton with best practices and crop calendar

Cotton is a cash crop that provides raw material for the textile industry. It grows well in warm and moist climates with long summers and saline soils. Here are some tips and information on how to cultivate cotton successfully.

• Soil preparation: Cotton needs well-drained and fertile soil with a pH of 6 to 8. The soil should be plowed and harrowed to make it loose and aerated. Organic matter such as compost or manure can be added to improve soil fertility and water retention.
• Seed selection: Cotton seeds should be of high quality, disease-free and adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. There are different types of cotton, such as long staple, medium staple and short staple, depending on the length and quality of the fiber. Hybrid and improved varieties can offer higher yields and resistance to pests and diseases.
• Planting: Cotton can be sown directly in the ground or started indoors and transplanted later. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 24°C (75°F). The seeds should be sown at a depth of 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 inches) and spaced at 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 inches) apart in rows that are 75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 inches) apart. The seeds should be watered well after sowing and kept moist until germination.
• Irrigation: Cotton needs regular and adequate irrigation during its growth stages, especially during flowering and boll formation. The frequency and amount of irrigation depend on the soil type, rainfall, temperature and crop stage. Drip irrigation is recommended as it saves water, reduces weed growth and prevents waterlogging and salinity problems.
• Fertilization: Cotton needs balanced nutrition for optimal growth and yield. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and micronutrients are essential for cotton production. Fertilizers can be applied in split doses according to the soil test results and crop requirements. Organic fertilizers such as compost, manure, green manure or biofertilizers can also be used to enhance soil health and fertility.
• Intercropping: Cotton can be intercropped with legumes, cereals, oilseeds or vegetables to improve soil fertility, suppress weeds, diversify income and reduce pest and disease incidence. Some examples of intercrops for cotton are cowpea, soybean, maize, sorghum, sunflower, onion, garlic or tomato.
• Weed control: Weeds can compete with cotton for nutrients, water, space and light, reducing its growth and yield. Weeds can also harbor pests and diseases that can affect cotton quality. Weed control can be done by manual hoeing, mulching, cover cropping or herbicide application. Weed control should be done regularly until the cotton plants cover the ground completely.
• Pest and disease management: Cotton is susceptible to various pests and diseases that can cause significant losses in yield and quality. Some of the common pests of cotton are bollworms, aphids, jassids, whiteflies, thrips, mites and nematodes. Some of the common diseases of cotton are wilt, root rot, leaf spot, anthracnose, bacterial blight and verticillium wilt. Pest and disease management can be done by using resistant varieties, crop rotation, intercropping, biological control agents, pheromone traps, cultural practices or chemical pesticides.
• Harvesting: Cotton is ready for harvesting when most of the bolls are open and the fiber is fluffy and white. Harvesting can be done by hand or by machine. Hand picking is preferred as it preserves the quality of the fiber better than machine harvesting. Harvesting should be done on sunny days when the bolls are dry. The harvested cotton should be stored in a clean, dry and well-ventilated place.