Field preparation
- Deep ploughing (deep rooted)
- MB Plough-harrowing-ploughing
- Deep ploughing up to 180cm
- Tap root system extends up to 3m, thus the aeration should be ensured.
- The P.H of the soil should lie within 5.5-8.5.
- High soil pH, calcareous ness of soils, low soil organic matter and use of fertilizer poor in micronutrients lead to soil encrustation.
- The major soil groups on which cotton is grown are alluvial soils (inceptisols/entisols), black cotton soil (vertisols), red sandy loams (alfisols) and red laterites (oxisols).
- Cotton grows under a wide range of soil acidity and alkalinity. The critical pH range is 5.5-6.0 and the upper limit is 8.5.
Seed preparation
- Ginning: It is the mechanical method separation of long fibre from the cotton seed.
- Delinting:
- It is the removal of fuzz from seed
- It can be done mechanically in cotton gin or by immersing the seeds in concentrated sulphuric acid.
- Quantity of acid (industrial grade) ranges from 70cc to 100cc per kg of fuzzy seeds and time varies from 6-12 min depending on variety.
- During the process fuzz is burnt. it is also treated with zinc chloride solution for 10-15 min and then washed.
Sowing time
- Last week of June -1st week of July (Rainfed crop)
- Late sowing-Delay in flowering- Results in yield loss
- During the 1st half of vegetation, no moisture stress and during ripening no rainfall
- Air temp- 68°F(20°C) for 10 days during planting
- 60°F temp of soil in 8-inch soil./ 20 cm soil has gained 16°C.