Introduction
Nutrients play a key role in enhancing cotton yield & quality. Compared to other crops, the nutritional requirements for cotton production in India are different from other field crops as it undergoes vegetative and reproductive growth simultaneously. The root presence of cotton in the surface layer of the soil is low, where the availability of nutrients is high, thus making cotton very dependent on the subsoil for nutrition. Managing a nutrition schedule is key to avoiding deficiencies because of macro and micronutrients, which can lead to decreased plant growth and development, consequently impacting the cotton yield. Cotton is a Kharif crop and is majorly grown in three regions in India – (1) parts of Punjab, Haryana, and northern Rajasthan in the north-west, (2) Gujarat and Maharashtra in the west and (3) plateaus of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu in the south. In these areas, the irrigated crop is sown from March-May and the rain-fed crop in June-July with the commencement of the monsoon.
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Climate and Soil Requirement
Cotton is a tropical or sub-tropical crop grown in the semi-amid areas of the country and requires high temperature & bright sunshine for its growth. At the flowering stage, it requires a clear sky. Cotton can be grown on different varieties of the soil, however; Black soil is the preferred soil type for its growth. A well-drained soil capable of retaining moisture is ideal for the cultivation of the crop.
Crop Sowing Season
| Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan |
April -May |
| Maharashtra, Gujarat |
June - July |
| Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu |
May- June |
# In rain fed areas, the sowing is dependent on the commencement of monsoon.
Method of sowing
There are two major methods of Cotton sowing, either using a seed drill or by dibbling. Hand dibbling of seeds at recommended spacing is commonly practiced in rainfed areas particularly for hybrids. This ensures proper plant stand, uniform geometry and saves seeds.
Irrigation Scheduling
Adequate and timely supply of water is one of the basic inputs for obtaining potential cotton yield. Depending upon the climate & crop-growing period, cotton needs 700-1,200 mm rainfall to meet its maximum water requirement. The water requirement is low during the first 60-70 days after sowing & is at highest during flowering and boll development. Drip irrigation is gaining popularity in the hybrid growing areas in the central & southern zones.
| Region |
Number of Irrigation |
| Northern India |
3-5 |
| Southern India |
4-13 |
Fertilizer Schedule of Mosaic Products
| Stages |
Days |
Product with Dosages |
Application Method of fertilizer |
Benefits of fertilizers |
| Sowing |
Sowing time |
Mosaic DAP– 50 kg/acre
Mosaic MOP- 40 kg/acre
Mosaic K-Mag- 25 kg/acre |
Basal |
Proper root development, Initial plant growth |
| Vegetative Stage |
30 - 45 DAS |
Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc @ 1 mL/L |
Foliar application |
Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc helps in healthy crop growth. |
| Flowering stage & Boll formation stage |
50 - 60 DAS |
Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc @ 1 mL/L + Mosaic Magna Liquid Boron @ 1 mL/L |
Foliar application |
Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc and Boron help in quick corrections of deficiencies, Improves the number of flowers and productive boll. |
| Boll formation stage(50%) |
70 - 80 DAS |
Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc @ 1 mL/L + Mosaic Magna Liquid Boron @ 1 mL/L |
Foliar application |
Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc and Boron help in quick corrections of deficiencies if any. Improves the number of flowers and productive boll. |
| Picking/Harvesting stage |
180 – 240 DAS |
|
|
|
*DAS-Days after sowing
Note:
- • Above dosages are applicable for Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan state.
- • Apply fertilizers based on soil test results.
- • Along with above mentioned schedule apply Urea @ 100-120 kg/acre in 3 to 4 splits.
- • Apply well decomposed Farm Yard Manure (FYM) or compost (@ 5-6 MT/acre) 2-3 weeks before sowing. Use nitrogen fertilizers judiciously, and for top dressing use only Urea as nitrogen source. Excessive use of nitrogen leads to more pest and disease infestation.
- • Apply Azophos or Azospirillum and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria each at 1 kg/acre along with FYM or compost for better results.
- • Harvest cotton in the morning hours, dry in the shade and store the clean cotton. Do not mix stained, discolored and insect damaged cotton with good cotton, as they will spoil the good cotton and will lower the market value of the produce.
Nutrient Deficiencies
| Nutrients |
Deficiency symptoms |
Affected area |
Nutrition Required |
| Phosphorus |
Dark green plants with reduced leaf size, older leaves turn purple red. |
Stunted root and plant growth, delay in flower initiation, boll formation and maturity. |
Apply Mosaic DAP 50 kg/acre at the time of sowing. |
| Potassium |
Yellowing of leaves on the margins, tips of the leaf and margins break down and curl downwards, whole leaf becomes reddish brown, dries and premature leaf falling. |
Premature leaf fall, Stunted growth, bolls remain small, immature and unopened, poor yield and quality of fiber. |
Apply Mosaic MOP 40 kg/acre and K-Mag 25 kg/acre at the time of sowing. |
| Magnesium |
Purplish red leaves with green veins (Leaf reddening) |
Premature leaf shedding, reduction in photosynthetic activity resulting in less number of branches and poor yields. |
Apply Mosaic K-Mag 25 kg/acre at time of sowing. |
| Sulphur |
Pale green to yellow color of young leaves. |
Plants are small, skinny with slender stalks. |
Apply Mosaic K-Mag 25 kg/acre at time of sowing. |
| Boron |
Terminal bud dies, shorter internodes, Black discoloration at the base of bolls. |
Excessive shedding of buds and young bolls. |
Spray Mosaic Magna Liquid Boron @ 1 mL/L |
| Zinc |
Pronounced interveinal chlorosis, interveinal portions turn golden yellow color. Brown spots extend from leaf tips to base and dry later. |
Elongated leaf tips |
Spray Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc @ 1 mL/L |
COTTON
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