Cotton is one of the most important fibrous crops in the world. It is used to make clothing and other textile products. Its seed oil is used as a raw material for the preparation of Banaspati Ghee.
Pakistan is the fourth-largest producer of cotton in the world. Moreover, cotton cultivation in Pakistan is integral to the economic development of the country. Punjab is of special importance in this regard as about 70% of the total production is produced in Punjab.
Cotton Cultivation Areas Of Pakistan
Central areas for cotton cultivation include Multan, Khanewal, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, DG Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Sahiwal, and Rahim Yar Khan districts.
Secondary areas include Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Kasur, Okara, and Pakpattan districts.
Land for Cotton Crop
To get a good yield of cotton, fertile land is better which is full and granular after preparation. It has better organic matter content, more water absorption, and a longer retention capacity. The lower surface of the soil should not be hard so that the roots of the plant do not have difficulty in spreading down and around.
Therefore, to prepare the soil, make a deep plow and level the soil with a laser level so that the roots of the plant can easily reach the depths and the seedlings can be maintained for a long time.
Instead of burning the remains of previous crops, they should be well mixed in the soil. Use a rotavator, disc harrow, or mulch for this purpose so that there is no difficulty in sowing.
Crops used as green manure should be buried in wet soil 30 days in advance and water should be applied in the field within 10 days of pressing so that the green manure decomposes well. Apply half a sack of urea per acre when pressing the crop into the ground to speed up the process of fermentation.
Sowing Time
The cotton plant likes heat and dislikes cold. Some growers are rushing to grow a cotton crop after harvesting vegetables or other crops as part of a strategy to deal with the risk of viruses. Early cultivation has led to an increase in the attack on the cotton crop by pests, especially pink bollworm and sucking insects.
Therefore, the cotton crop should be planted at the recommended time. After harvesting wheat, select BT varieties in the light of suitable area, available resources, local information, and experience of previous years.
Subject Types by Region
FH 142 for Multan District, IUB 2013, MNH 988, CIM 600, CIM 598, Saito 178, Saito 179, AGC 999, AGC 777, MNH 886 for Khanewal District, V H305, FH142, IUB 2013, MNH988, CIM 600, CIM 598, Cyto 178, Cyto 179, AGC 999, AGC 777, FH 142 for Vehari District, VH 259, Niab 878, VH 305, Camp 33, CIM 598, Sitara 11, IUB 2013, Saito 178 for Lodhran District.
Saito 179, FH 142, BH 178, CIM 602, AGC 999, MNH 886 for District DG Khan, FH 142, Tarzan3, AGC 999, Niab 878, CIM 602, IUB 2013 for Muzaffargarh District, Sitara 11, FH 142, Saito 179, MNH 886 for Layyah District.
Saito 179, IUB 2013. FH 142, VH 305, AGC 999, Sitara 11, MNH 886 for Rajanpur District, FH 142, Tarzan 3, AGC 999, Niab 878, CIM 602, FH 142 for District Bahawalpur.
MNH 886, BH 178, IUB 2013, CIM 600, CIM 602, FH Lalazar, VH 305, Saito 178 For Rahim Yar Khan District MNH 886, FH 142, FH 114, AGC 999, CIM 598, UGC 09, BH178, FH Lalazar for District Bahawalnagar, FH 142, MNH 886, AGC 999, BH Saito 179, IUB 2013 for Sahiwal District.
FH 142, Saito 179, MNH 886, Niab 878, Tarzan 3, FH Lalazar for Faisalabad District, FH 142, Niab 878, Nabji 3, FH Lala for Jhang District Cultivation time of FH Lalazar, FH 142, Niab 878, Nabji 3 varieties for Czar, FH 142, Niab 878, Nabji 3 and District Toba Tek Singh is from 1st April to 31st May.
The presence of conventional (non-BT) variants is also important for the invading cinders to resist Bt variants. To prevent this from happening, farmers must have 10 to 20 percent of their total cultivated area consisting of conventional varieties.
In addition, if traditional varieties are cultivated on 20% of the area along with Bt varieties, then insecticide should be sprayed on them in case exceeding the economic threshold.
Delinting of Cotton
Standard, healthy, pure, and disease-free seeds of recommended varieties should be used for cotton cultivation. One liter of commercial sulfuric acid is sufficient to produce 10 kg of seeds. Specialized machines are now available in the market for seed removal. They can also be used for removal.
When the seeds become black and shiny, put them in a sieve placed over running water fill the bucket with water drop it on the sieve and wash the seeds thoroughly so that the seeds are free from acid.
When washed, the immature, defective seed floats on the surface of the water, while the mature and vigorous seed sinks into the water.
Downstairs seeds should be thoroughly dried in the sun packed in sackcloth or cloth bags and stored in a dry and ventilated warehouse so that air can pass easily under the lower sacks. Never store seeds on an open floor (whether ripe or raw). This affects seed germination.
Never use nylon or plastic bags to store seeds. Pick and discard infected seeds infected with Pink bollworm. It is very important to apply proper pesticide to the seed before sowing, which protects the sap-sucking insects, especially whiteflies, for about a month at the beginning of the crop, which can lead to the spread of leaf curl virus.
Poisoning the seeds improves the growth of the crop and makes it less susceptible to disease. This year Punjab Seed Corporation has about 60272 man seeds. Which can be obtained from the regional cell depots of the corporation. In addition, badges can be obtained from reputable private seed companies.
Cultivation Method
Cotton should be sown in rows with Kharif drill at a distance of 2.5 feet and sow the seeds to a depth of 2 to 2.5 inches (five to seven centimeters). In a crop grown in this way, when it reaches a height of one and a half to two feet, then leave one line of plants and make tracks on the other line by adding soil.
This is very important because of the scarcity of water. It saves 20 to 30% of water. Weeds are easy to control. Crop height is appropriate. In the case of hand sowing, first water the drains to a depth of 6 to 7 inches (15 to 7.5 cm).
Immediately after watering, plant the seed by hand one inch (2.5 cm) above the water surface. If left unmanaged, they can be left astray and lose the right path. Seed germination is good and the full number of plants is obtained.
More land can be cultivated in less time. It saves water compared to traditional farming. Avoids rain damage. Seeding by hand saves seeds. It is easy to spray even in case of rain and irrigation. Crop growth is appropriate. It is better to grow in Kalrathi lands.
Cultivation in Kalrathi Bara lands should be done on ridges or beds & furrows. If it rains on the second or third day of sowing, which may lead to hardening of the soil, it is better to replant keeping in view the water. Do not cultivate cotton crops in low-lying fields.
Insect Pest and Weeds of Cotton Crop
Insect Pest
Insects that cause damage to cotton are divided into two groups based on their method of damage.
- Sucking insects: Whitefly, Jassid, Thrips, Mealy Bug, Cotton Dusky Bug, etc.
- Cutting insects: Pink Bollworm, Armyworm, American Bollworm, Spotted Bollworm, etc.
Weeds of Cotton
Cotton herbs include Att Sit, Lamb, Madhana Grass, Jangli Cholai, Lahli, Qalfa, Tandla, Hazar Dani, and Della.
Read More: Cotton: World’s Leading Agricultural Crop (Thoroughly Explained)
Read More: How Cotton is Processed at Factories and Graded for Commercial Use?
