COTTON

Botanical name :
Gossypium arboreum L. This species covers 29 % of the total acreage of cotton in the
country. It is a desi cotton (n=13).

Gossypium herbaceum L. This species covers 21 % of the total acreage of cotton in the
country. This species is known as desi cotton (n=13).

Gossypium hirsutum L. This species cover 50 % of the total acreage of cotton and it is
known as American cotton (n=26)

Gossypium barbadense L. Area under this species is very less only few thousands
hectares). This species is perennial type cotton. It is also a American cotton (n=26)

Family : Malvaceae
Origin : India is believed to be the home of cotton because the art of
making cloth from cotton was first developed in India.

Cotton has been used as a fabric in India from time immemorial. It has been
cultivated in the Indus valley more than 5000 years. The excavation of Mohenjodaro
indicates high degree of art in spinning and weaving with cotton at that time. India appears
to have been the center of an important cotton industry as early as 1500 BC. The cultivation
of cotton spread from India to Egypt and to Spain and Italy. There are 20 species of cotton
including wild as well as cultivated. The cultivated species have spinable lint while wild
species have only short fuzz or smooth seeds. Out of 20 species, 16 species are wild and
only 4 are cultivated.

In the wild state, cotton is a perennial plant, which attains a height of 5-6 m, but
most of the cultivated cottons are annuals. Cultivated cotton is a herbaceous plant which
attains a height if 75-200 cm. Cotton plant has a tap root system with secondary roots that
branched laterally from primary root. The main stem is erect and much branched; the
branches develop from buds located at the nodes of the main stem. There are 2 buds at the
base of each cotton leaf petiole. The true axillary buds develop in a vegetative branch,
which only bear leaves and no flowers. The accessory bud generally develops into
sympodial or fruiting branch. Vegetative branch may arise either from axillary or an
accessory bud. There is tendency for the lower branches to be vegetative and the upper
fruiting. The leaves are spirally arranged on the main stem and vegetative branches, except
on fruiting branches. Where they form 2 alternate rows. The leaves are petiolate. The out
line of leaf is more or less cordate with 3-9 lobes depending on variety. The leaves are
green but in some species such as arborium leaves contain some purplish colour. The
flowers develop at the opposite to a leaf in fruiting branches only. The flowers are of typical
of the Malvaceae family. The flower buds, which appear as small pyramidal shaped green
structure, are called square. The flowers open about 18-24 days after squares are seen.
Flowers consist of pistil, the stamens arranged in a tube like staminal column the evolves
the style of the pistil, 5 petals and 6 green sepals joined together to form a cup like calyx.
The fruit is the enlarge ovary that develop into 3-5 loculed capsule or bail. The balls vary
in size and shape but are usually more or less egg shaped. When the ball is ripe, the capsule
cracks or splits along the lines or sutures where carpel meet and the cotton within expands
greatly in a white fluffy mass. The number of seed in the ball varies from 24 to 50. The
cotton fiber is simply as elongation or outgrowth of an epidermal cell of the seed coat. The
long out growth forms the staple or lint while shorter out growth forms Fuzz.

Area and distribution

Cotton is one of the most important commercial crops playing key role in economic,
political and social affairs of the world chiefly as fibre crop. Cotton is cultivated in about
60 countries of the world but 10 countries viz., Russia, USA, China, India, Brazil, Pakistan,
Turkey, Egypt, Mexico and Sudan account for about 85 % of the total production. It is
cultivated in an area of about 32.9 million hectres with a total production of 41.1 million
tones of seed cotton.

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.

In Gujarat, cotton is cultivated in about 15.19 lakh hectares with an annual

production of about 31.80 lakh bales of cotton (lint). In Gujarat, it is widely cultivated in
almost all districts except part of Dangs and Valsad districts.

Economic importance
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 grown chiefly for its fibers, which are
used in manufacturing of cloth for the mankind. It is also used for several other purposes
like making threads, for mixing in other fibers and for extraction of oil from cottonseed.
The oil content in the cottonseed ranges from 15-25 % depending on the varieties. Cotton
seed cake after extraction of oil is a good organic manure and contains about 6 % N, 3 %
P2O5 and 2 % K2O. Cottonseed and cotton meal are good concentrated feed for cattle. It
is also considered as a “cash” crop since past.
 Gujarat is divided in four well-defined zones based on agro-climatic conditions and
the type of cotton grown. The zones are protected by various cotton acts. The four zones
are as follows:

By-products:
Cottonseed constitutes about 65 % of the kapas by weight and contains about 19-20
% oil, while the oil content in kernels varies from 31 –34 % depending upon the species.
Cottonseed oil is rich in essential fatty acid such as myristic, palmitoleic, steric, oleic and
linoleic. Among this linoleic acid, most important fatty acid is present to the extent of 51
%. The deficiency of this fatty acid lead to the narrowing of the arteries causing reduced
blood supply to the heart. Presently, refined cottonseed oil is widely used for edible
purposes as well as hydrogenated oils. The coefficient of digestibility of the oil is 97 % and
is nutritive value is about 9 K calories per gram. The keeping quality of the oil is
comparable to those of groundnut and safflower oils. The current production of cotton oil
is about 3-5 lakh tonnes per annum.

The cottonseed meal is the production after extraction of oil. It is mainly a protein
fraction of the seed and has around 50 % protein content. The quality of any protein is
determined by amino acid composition. Cottonseed protein contains about 70 % of the
essential amino acids, evincing its nutritive value. This protein is however deficit in
methionine, tryptophan and lysine. CIRCOT, Matunga (Mumbai - Cotton Technological
Research Labouratory) has successfully developed quality parameters such as fibre length,
fibre strength, number of counts, number of hank, and ginning % at laboratory scale as well
as method for the protein enrichment of cottonseed meal cake.

Cotton linters are those short fibres, which are left on the seed after the removal of
long fibres for textile purpose. As the cotton linters are the main source of purest cellulose.
They constitute a very important industrial row material for various cellulose based
chemical industries. It is estimated that cotton belonging to Gossypium hirsutum species
have the highest linter content (about 10.5 %) as against the average of 4.3 % to 5.9 % in
desi varieties.

Cottonseed hull is another by-product of cotton, which is very poorly exploited

commercially. Hull is the seed coat, which constitute about 37 % of the weight of the
cottonseed. Hulls contain about 35-47% of alpha cellulose, 19-27 % pentosans, 15-20 %
lignin and 5 % ash, protein and fat etc. Presently hulls are used as roughage in live stock
rations but this meal can be profitably exploited for the production of a versatile chemical
furfural, activated charcoal, particleboards etc. CIRCOT developed a technique for
production of furfural from cottonseed hulls. It has also developed techniques for use of
hulls in production of particleboards. The average yield of furfural from the cottonseed hull
is about 12 %. Cotton hulls also can be used to grow edible mushroom crop.
 Presently most of the 15 million tones of cotton stalk available in the country are
burnt off after the harvest of the crop. Cotton plant stalk contains 79 % holocellulose, 27
% lignin and 7 % ash. In comparison with other crop residues, cotton stalks is closer to
hard wood in respect of fibrous structure evincing good potential for the manufacture of
particle boards, pulp and paper, hard boards, corrugated boards and boxes, microrystalline
cellulose, cellulose derivatives as a cellulose substance for growing mushroom etc. Two
types of pulps, Soda and Kraft can be prepared from cotton plant stalks.

Gujarat is divided in 4 well-defined zones as under:

1) South Gujarat cotton zone

This zone comprises the entire command areas of Narmada river (Dangs, Surat,
Valsad and part of Bharuch). The soils are clayey. The annual rainfall ranges from 1000 to
1500 mm. The varieties grown are Digvijay, Sanjay, Gujarat cotton-11

2) Middle Gujarat cotton zone

This zone covers roughly the area between the river Sabarmati in the north and the
river Narmada in the south with minor adjustments (part of Bharuch, Vadodara, Kheda,
Anand, Narmada, Panchmahals, Sabarkantha and part of Ahmedabad districts). The soils
vary from clayey to sandy loam and the annual rainfall ranges from 600 to 1000 mm. The
varieties grown are Digvijay and Gujarat cotton-11.
3) Wagad cotton zone
This zone consists of area lying north east of the river Sabarmati, Kutch and
Saurashtra excluding Mathio tract. The districts covers under this zone are Banaskantha,
Mehsana, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Junagadh, Jamnagar and Kutch). The soils vary from
sandy loam to medium clayey with various depths. The rainfall is erratic and varies from
350 to 750 mm. The varieties grown are V-797, Gujarat cotton-12, 13, 10, 100, G-67 and
Deviraj.

4) Mathio cotton zone

This zone includes Bhavnagar and Amreli districts and some adjoining Talukas of
other districts. The soils are medium black and shallow. Average rainfall is about 500 mm.
The varieties grown are Sanjay (CJ-73) and Gujarat cotton-15.

Specific cotton varieties of Asiatic cottons (G. arboreum) and (G. herbaceum) are
grown in each zone. The Gossypium hirsutum (Indo - American) and hybrid varieties are
also grown wherever soil and climatic conditions are suitable.

Climatic conditions
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.

If heavy showers of rains occurred or heavy irrigation is applied during the fruiting
period resulted in shedding of the flowers and young balls. Abundant sunshine during the
period of ball formation and harvesting is essential to obtained good quality produce.
Cotton plants cannot withstand frost and hence its cultivation is restricted to an altitude of
1000 meters only. The frost season of 180-240 days is required for successful cotton
growing.

Soil requirements
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.

Field preparation
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.

Time of sowing
Cotton should be sown with onset of monsoon or advance planting before onset of
monsoon in the soil, e.g., Digvijay, Sanjay (CJ-73), Gujarat cotton-10 and Gujarat cotton-
11.

After receiving adequate rains of first shower in monsoon, sowing should be done
from last week of June to second week of July, e.g. V-797, Gujarat cotton-13, Gujarat
cotton-12. The optimum time of sowing for most of cotton varieties is second fortnight of
June to first fortnight of July. Where irrigation facilities are available, sowing should be
done in first week of June by giving one pre-sowing irrigation or sometimes advance
sowing in dry soil before onset of monsoon is also done.

Sowing should be done from second week of June up to 15th July. e.g. Deviraj.

Sowing should be done in 3rd or 4th week of June after receiving adequate rainfall,
e.g. Gujarat cotton-14.

With onset of monsoon. Irrigated area of Sabarkantha district where irrigation

facilities are available, sowing should be done in the first week of June by giving pre-
sowing irrigation, which increases the yield, e.g. Hybrid cotton-4.
 For hybrid cotton-6 and 7, sowing should be done in 3rd week of June to 1st week
of July with the onset of monsoon.

Method of sowing : Dibbling or drilling method.

Variety Seed rate (kg/ha) Spacing Remarks
Dibbling Drilling (cm)
Digvijay 7-8 10-12 90x30 Unirrigated
150x60 Irrigated
V-797 10-12 15-20 45x22.5
Sanjay (CJ-73) 10-12 15-20 60x15-30 Irrigated
Deviraj 3-4 8-10 120-150x60 Unirrigated
90-120x30- Irrigated
60 South Gujarat
90x60
Guj.Cot.-10 2.5-3 8-10 90x60 3356 kg/ha (Irri) and 1464
(1974) kg/ha (Unirri.)
Guj.Cot.-100 2515 kg/ha
(1974)
Guj.Cot.-101 Transplanting 3 m x 3 m 2-3 kg/plant, budded cotton
(1977)
Guj.Cot.-11 7-8 10-12 90x80 1339 kg/ha (Unirri) in
(1979) Bharuch and Khedbhrahma
Guj.Cot.H.-4 2.5 - 120x60 Irrigated
Guj.Cot.H.-6 2.5-3 - 90x30 Unirrigated
(1979) 120x45 South Gujarat
90x30 Junagadh (irri)
90x60 SK (irri), Av. yield 1337
kg/ha
Guj.Cot.-12 8-10 12-15 120-150x60 848 kg/ha, kwon as
(1981) khapatia cotton
Guj.Cot.-13 8-10 12-15 45x22.5 887 kg/ha
(1981)
Guj.Cot.D.H.-7 2.5-3 90-120x60 1500-1700 kg/ha.
Guj.Cot.-14 8-10 - 90x45 2250 kg/ha
(1986)
Guj.Cot.H.-8 2.5-3 - 120x60
(1987)
Guj.Cot.D.H.-9 3 - 120x60 Irrigated
(1989) 90x60 Unirrigated
725 –2025 kg/ha,
Guj.Cot.-15 991 kg/ha
(1989)
Guj.Cot.H.-10 1828 kg/ha
(1994)
Guj.Cot.-16 1606 kg/ha
(1995)
Guj.Cot.-17 1317 kg/ha
(1995)
Guj.Cot.-19 1101 kg/ha
(1997)
Guj.Cot.-21 1129 kg/ha, Wagad cotton
(1998) zone
Guj.Cot.-18 1535 kg/ha)
(1999)
Guj.Cot-23 1300 kg/ha, this variety is
(2001) released to replace Digvijay
and G.cot.17 in middle and
south Gujarat

NB: Cotton Digvijay, V-797, Guj.Cot.-11 and Guj.Cot.-13 are herbaceum type cotton,
Gujarat cotton-10, 14 and 12 and Deviraj are hirsutum type cotton, Sanjay and
Gujarat cotton-15 are arboreum type, Hybrid cotton-4, 6 and 8 are hirsutum type
hybrid cotton , Gujarat cotton-7 and 9 are Deshi hybrid cotton and Gujarat cotton
101 is barbadense type.

Seed treatment
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

Fertilizers are to be applied as given below in the different regions

 South Gujarat for most of the hybrid varieties under irrigated conditions
 Nitrogen Remarks
(kg/ha)
320
80 Basal application
80 One month after sowing
80 One month after first top dressing
80 One month after second top
dressing

 Sabarkantha area under irrigated conditions (Hybrid cot. 4)

------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrogen Remarks
------------------------------------------------------------
180 kg/ha
45 Basal application
45 One month after sowing
45 One month after first top dressing
45 One month after second top dressing
-----------------------------------------------------------
 Sabarkantha, Junagadh and Achhalia (Bharuch) regions under irrigated
conditions
Nitrogen Remarks
(kg/ha)
160
40 Basal application
40 One month after
sowing
40 One month after first
top dressing
40 One month after
second top dressing

But in Bharuch region except Achhalia, 120 kg N/ha of which 60 kg N as basal

and remaining 60 kg N/ha at 30 to 45 Days after sowing.

Some manurial information of different varieties

 Digvijay and V-797 and Gujarat cotton-11 (rainfed)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrogen Remarks
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 40 kg/ha
20 As basal application
20 One month after sowing
-----------------------------------------------------------------

 Gujarat Cotton Desi Hybrid-7

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrogen Remarks
------------------------------------------------------------------
160 kg/ha
40 15 to 20 days after sowing in form of urea
40 One month after sowing
40 One month after first top dressing
40 One month after second top dressing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 Sanjay (CJ-73)
-----------------------------------------------
Nitrogen Remarks
-----------------------------------------------
25 kg/ha
12.5 At sowing in furrows
12.5 4 to 6 weeks after sowing
-----------------------------------------------

 Gujarat cotton-13 (Rainfed)

-----------------------------------------------
Nitrogen Remarks
-----------------------------------------------
40 kg/ha
20 At sowing in furrows
20 4 to 6 weeks after sowing
-----------------------------------------------

 Digvijay (irrigated)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrogen Remarks
-----------------------------------------------------------------
100 kg/ha
50 As basal
25 One month after sowing
25 One month after first top dressing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 Gujarat cotton-11 (irrigated)
 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrogen Remarks Nitrogen
-----------------------------------------------------------------
90 kg/ha 120
40 As basal application 40
40 One month after sowing 40
25 One month after first top dressing 40
-----------------------------------------------------------------

 Gujarat cotton-10
Rainfed Irrigated
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrogen Remarks Nitrogen
-----------------------------------------------------------------
80 kg/ha 150
40 As basal application 50
40 4 to 6 weeks after sowing 50 (30DAS)
- One month after first top dressing 50
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 Gujarat cotton-12 and Deviraj
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrogen Remarks
-----------------------------------------------------------------
75 kg/ha
25 As basal application
25 4 to 6 weeks after sowing
25 4 to 6 weeks after first top dressing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 Gujarat Cotton Desi Hybrid-9
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Nitrogen Remarks
-----------------------------------------------------------------
120 kg/ha
40 As basal application
40 One week after sowing
40 One week after first top dressing
40 One week after second top dressing

The farmers of middle Gujarat are advised to apply 3 sprays of 20 ppm NAA (at
60,90 and 120 days after sowing) and fertilize the crop with 320 kg N/ha (in four equal
splits at one month interval) for 25 % higher yield.
 Farmers of north Gujarat zone growing Gujarat cotton Desi Hybrid –9 under rainfed
conditions are advised to plant the crop at 120 cm x 30 cm spacing and apply 80 kg N/ha
and 40 kg P2O5/ha. Half dose of N should be applied after one and half month of sowing.
Farmers of north Gujarat growing irrigated cotton Gujarat cotton Hy-10 in sandy loam soil
are advised to apply 160 kg N/ha in four equal splits. Application of phosphorus is not
found advantageous.

Gap filling and thinning

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.

Irrigation
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.

If irrigation is given during square (flower bud) formation and heavy flowering
stage, the excessive shedding of flower buds and young bolls may occur resulted into low
yield. To avoid this loss, irrigation should not be given during these growth stages.

Farmers of middle Gujarat Agro-climatic zone (sandy loam soils) growing cotton
Hy. Cotton – 8 are advised to irrigate the crop by alternate furrow method of irrigation to
save 40 % irrigation water. In Narmada command area (medium black soils), three
irrigations are recommended, first at one month after cessation of monsoon, second at 45
days after first irrigation and third at 35 days after second irrigation.

Farmers of Bhal and coastal region growing cotton Gujarat cotton – 13 can apply
two irrigations of saline water (up to 8 dS/m) i.e. at 30 and 40 days after withdrawal of
monsoon for sustaining seed cotton yield during drought year. Where the source of
harvested rainwater is available, one out of two irrigations may be applied from harvested
rainwater.

Farmers of south Gujarat growing irrigated cotton Hy-6 are advised to adopt drip
technology under constraints of irrigation water to bring about 0.74 ha additional area
under irrigation. The system should be operated at a distance of 1.2 m with dripper (4 lph)
spaced at 0.45 m and operated for 60 to 70 minutes on alternate day.
Intercultivation and weeding
Cotton is highly vulnerable to weed competition especially in the initial stage of
growth (50-60 days of its growth). Hence, control of weeds either by manual or by
weedicides is essential to get high yields. Dry hoeing with hand hoe or spade 5-6 weeks
after sowing or before first irrigation is very effective in controlling weeds. It should be
repeated afterwards if necessary. Interculturing in cotton crop is necessary to create mulch,
aeration of the topsoil, and better intake of water and control of weeds. Some weedicides
like Diuron @ 0.5 kg a.i./ha or troflan @ 0.75 kg a.i./ha or Basalin @ 1.0-1.25 kg a.i./ha
in 600-800 litres of water should be applied as pre-planting spray.

Farmers of south Saurashtra growing hybrid cotton – 10 are advised to apply

fluchloralin or pendimethalin 0.9 kg/ha as pre-emergence blanket application along with
HW and IC at 30 and 50 DAS
In irrigated areas of south Gujarat, for effective control of weeds in HY. Cotton –4,
application of Oxadiazon @ 1.0 kg/ha as pre-emergence followed by application of Diuron
@ 0.75 kg/ha at 20 days of sowing along with four hand weedings or Diuron 0.75 kg/ha at
20 days of sowing along with four hand weeding were found effective or Oxadiazon @ 1.0
kg/ha as pre-emergence followed by application of Diuron @ 0.75 kg/ha at 20 days of
sowing along with two hand weeding are also effectively controlled the weeds.

In north-west zone, one interculturing and hand weeding after four weeks of sowing
the cotton variety V-797 is recommended.

Plant protection measures

Pests: Aphids, Jassids, Thrips, White flies, Red mites, Pink boll worm, Spotted
boll worm, Army worm, Mealy bug, Cotton semi-looper.

Diseases: Root rot, Fusarium wilt, Anthracnose, Bacterial blight, Leaf spot, Boll rot,
little leaf.

Harvesting
Cotton 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 measures against pests
and diseases.

Mixed cropping and crop rotation

A common practice in cotton cultivation is mixed cropping with maize, sorghum,

Sesamum, pulses or vegetables as practiced in many parts of central India. Inter cropping
with ragi, other millets or groundnut is also quite common in parts of Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Inter cropping and mixed cropping under rainfed conditions serve both as an
insurance against crop failure and as prevention against soil erosion.

The commonest crop rotations for cotton in the irrigated areas of Punjab, Haryana,
northern Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are cotton – wheat, cotton – sorghum and cotton –
wheat – toria. The growing of berseem and cluster bean has been found to have beneficial
effect on the succeeding cotton crop. IN central and western India, cotton – sorghum, cotton
– pearl millet, cotton – wheat, cotton – gram and cotton – Sesamum are the useful rotations
followed. Cotton following groundnut has been found to give 15-20 % higher yield than
following wheat or sorghum. The raising of cotton crop after a legume in a rotation and
preceded by a grain crop has been found to give a better yield.

Among the various cotton based cropping system evaluate in middle Gujarat, cotton
sown between 15 and 30 May followed by either cabbage transplanted during 2nd fortnight
of November or onion transplanted during first fortnight of November gave highest
monetary return.

Yield

Hybrids: 2500 kg/ha seed cotton

Deshi: 1200 to 1500 kg/ha seed cotton, 233 kg lint/ha

Research Station
Central CICR, Nagpur, AICCIP (1966), CIRCOT (Central Institute for Research in
Cotton Technology, Matunga (Mumbai)
Main: Main Cotton Research Station, Surat
Regional: Bharuch, Anand, Thasra, Talod, Amreli, Viramgam, Junagadh
Sub: Navsari, Hansot, Achhalia, Devgadhbaria, Khedbrahma, Bhachau, Khapat,
Dhandhuka.

Gujarat has the pride of being pioneer in developing first inter-specific variety
Deviraj (1952) from the cross of Asiatic and American cotton. Hybrid cotton 4 was released
in the year 1971 as first commercial hybrid. Gujarat cotton 101 (1977) was the first budded
cotton in the world as perennial variety.

Important hints for irrigated cotton

 Land should be prepared suitable to irrigation.
 Appropriate variety should be selected. If land is irrigated partially, early variety of
American or Desi type should be selected and where irrigation facilities are
fully available, hybrid varieties should be selected.
  Avoid excess or stress condition. Irrigate the crop at proper time. Excess and
improper time of irrigation damage the crop conditions.
 Cotton should be harvested up to the economic period, if the uneconomic period for
harvesting is extended may cause for spread of insect and pest for next season.
 Grow multiple cropping patterns for more economic return.
 Avoid excess use of infrastructure facilities.
 Careful consideration of marketing.

Important hints for rainfed cultivation of cotton

 Adopt soil and water conservation techniques.
 Crop rotation should be followed.
 Preparatory tillage and planning should be considered.
 Selection of proper variety.
 Adopt recommended practices for different operations.
 Adopt mixed cropping to reduce hazards against low production.
 Careful consideration of marketing.