Cotton is one of the most important commercial crops and a chief fibre crop that provides raw material for textile industry. Though, a large number of countries produce cotton, only seven countries contribute for about 80 per cent total world cotton production. Though, India has occupied the first place in terms of area cultivated under cotton, could not achieve the same in terms of production owing to low productivity levels. Consequently, India has still been the third largest producer of cotton in the world after China and the US. However, in view of the recent growth trends in cotton production, India is expected to outpace the US in the near future. At the same time, India has already reached the second position in terms of consumption and demand has been growing consistently with rising population. Further, the recent developments such as the phasing out of Multi Fibre Agreement (MFA) and introduction genetically modified varieties have brought in political and environmental issues into cotton cultivation.


Climatic and Agronomic aspects of cotton

       It was proved from the available evidence (from the relics of Mohanjo-daro civilization) that India was the original habitat for the old world cotton. However, in the present day world, four major cultivated species of cotton including Gossypium arboreum L., G. herbaceum L., G. hirsutum L. and G. barbadense L. are grown in the world as well as in India.

       Cotton is a tropical and subtropical crop, comes up well up to 500 m mean sea level and a short cool season before harvest is useful for high yields but requires at least 180 to 200 frost-free days at maturity. Cotton requires four to five months of uniformly high emperature during its growth period. Optimum temperature for vegetative growth ranges from 21 to 28 o C while relatively higher day temperature of 27 to 32 o C and cool night favour flowering and boll formation. However, with sufficient soil moisture, the crop can withstand up to 45 o C but for shorter periods. A minimum of 500 mm of well-distributed rainfall is essential particularly in the initial stages of growth. Sunny days are important at all stages of growth particularly during flowering and maturity stages.

Cotton composition

Lint recovery: 34 per cent
Seed oil recovery: 20 per cent

Calendar of operations
        Majority of cotton cultivated in the country is under rainfed conditions (65 per cent) and only about 35 per cent has irrigation facilities. Though sowing season varies widely across the regions, majority of sowings in the country falls between March and July. Sowing under irrigated conditions takes place between March and May while it spreads between June and July under rainfed conditions.


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