Table of Contents
Introduction
Cotton, often called the “King of Fibres” or “White Gold,” is one of the most valuable commercial crops across the globe. It forms the backbone of the textile industry, providing essential raw material for fabric production and supporting millions of farmers and workers worldwide. India, with its vast agro-climatic diversity, is among the largest producers of cotton in the world. For farmers, cotton presents a great opportunity to earn a good income if sown and managed properly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through seven simple and practical steps to sow cotton seeds.
Step 1: Climate, Soil, and Season for Sowing Cotton Seeds
Climate for Cotton Cultivation
Cotton is a tropical crop and grows well in hot and humid climates. It requires plenty of sunlight for efficient growth, especially during boll maturation and harvesting, to obtain good-quality produce. A minimum temperature of 16°C is needed for germination, and temperatures below this may delay the process. A temperature range of 21–27°C can support healthy vegetative growth. The crop can withstand temperatures up to 43°C, but temperatures below 21°C may hinder development. During the fruiting stage, a day temperature of 27–30°C with cool nights can be favourable. Additionally, cotton benefits from abundant sunshine to ensure high-quality fibre production.
An average annual rainfall of around 500 mm is ideal, with about 175–200 mm required during the crop’s active growth phase. However, excessive rain or irrigation during the flowering and fruiting period may cause flower and boll shedding, affecting yield. Similarly, heavy rainfall during harvest can reduce lint quality and delay collection.
Soil for Cotton Cultivation
Cotton can be grown in a wide range of soil types in India, such as black cotton soils, alluvial soils, red soils, and laterite soils. It is a deep-rooted crop, requiring well-drained, aerated soils that allow roots to penetrate up to 200–250 cm. Since a large portion of cotton farming in India depends on rainfed conditions, soils with good water retention capacity can be more suitable. However, waterlogging may harm the crop, so proper drainage is important.
Cotton grows best in soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 8.5. Deep, fertile soils with high water-holding capacity and good internal drainage can be ideal for its cultivation.
Season for Cotton Cultivation
Cotton is a warm-season crop, but it is grown in all seasons across different regions of India. The sowing season varies by region. In North India (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, etc.), sowing generally begins early, typically between April and May. As we move southward, sowing is delayed, with rainfed crops planted in June–July and irrigated cotton sown between March and May. In states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, pre-monsoon sowing is practiced in late May or early June to establish the crop early.
In Tamil Nadu, both irrigated and rainfed cotton are sown in September–October, while summer sowing is done in February–March.
Step 2: Selecting the Right Cotton Variety
Various factors such as the season, region of cultivation, length of the growing season, availability of water, tolerance to diseases, and local preferences can play an important role in selecting a cotton variety. For your convenience, a few cotton varieties are listed below.
Step 3: Procuring Quality Cotton Seeds
For successful cotton cultivation, selecting the right seeds can make a big difference in crop performance. High-quality cotton seeds support better germination, stronger plant growth, and improved yields.
Looking for good quality cotton seeds? At Desikheti, you can explore a wide range of premium cotton seed varieties suited to different climates and soil types. Shop cotton seeds and enjoy quick doorstep delivery—so your farm gets the best start this season.
Step 4: Land Preparation for Sowing Cotton Seeds
Proper land preparation is essential for a healthy cotton crop. After harvesting the previous crop, the field can be ploughed 15–20 cm deep. This may be followed by 2–4 harrowings, depending on the soil type, to ensure fine tilth and proper aeration. The soil should be well-leveled, and all crop residues need to be removed to help prevent pest and disease buildup.
During the final ploughing, apply 25 to 30 tonnes of FYM per hectare of land. Around 5 kg of biofertilizers and 2 kg each of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas can also be mixed with the FYM and applied.
Step 5: Sowing Cotton Seeds
Seed Rate: The average seed rate is 1 to 2 kg per acre. The exact quantity may vary depending on factors such as spacing, method of sowing, time of sowing, local preferences, etc.
Seed Treatment: Seeds sold by private companies are usually pre-treated with chemicals. However, if the seeds are not pre-treated, they can be treated with 3 g of Bavistin per kg of seed.
Cotton seeds can be sown using a seed drill, behind the plough, or by dibbling. The ideal sowing depth is 4–6 cm to ensure proper germination. For varieties, 2 to 3 seeds can be sown per hill, while for hybrids, 1 to 2 seeds per hill may be sufficient.
Spacing may vary depending on the sowing method, season, and other factors. Generally, a spacing of 90 to 150 cm between rows and 45 to 60 cm between plants is followed.
To maintain optimum plant population, gap filling should be done around the 10th day after sowing. Either seeds or seedlings may be used to fill gaps for uniform crop growth. Thinning should be carried out within 3 weeks after sowing cotton seeds by removing weak, diseased, or damaged seedlings and retaining strong, healthy plants.
Step 6: Care After Sowing Cotton Seeds
Cotton needs proper care after sowing to support healthy crop growth. The water requirement of the crop is 600 to 800 mm. Cotton is a drought-tolerant crop, and frequent irrigation is not necessary during the rainy season. However, water stress during flowering and boll formation should be avoided, as it may result in excessive shedding of flower buds and young bolls. Avoid overwatering, as cotton cannot tolerate water logging at any stage of growth.
In the early growth stage (first 50–60 days), cotton grows slowly and faces strong competition from weeds. During this period, the field should be kept weed-free by carrying out 5–6 intercultural operations, depending on the intensity of weed growth.
Step 7: Harvesting Cotton
Generally, cotton plants produce flowers in multiple flushes, so all bolls do not mature at the same time. Therefore, harvesting is done in 4–5 pickings at intervals of 2–4 weeks, ensuring that only fully matured bolls are collected.
Harvesting is typically done manually by hand-picking. Pickings are usually carried out in the early hours of the day, as the fruit wall becomes brittle due to the sun and may collapse during picking, leading to contamination. Cotton from different pickings should be dried and stored separately, as each batch may differ in quality. Early pickings tend to yield superior quality fibre, whereas later pickings may produce lower-quality cotton.
Common FAQs Related to Cotton Seed Sowing
Q. What climate is best for growing cotton?
A. Cotton grows well in warm, sunny, and humid climates. A temperature range of 21°C to 27°C supports healthy vegetative growth, while a dry climate during flowering and boll development is beneficial.
Q. Which soil is best for growing cotton?
A. Cotton can grow in various soil types like black cotton, red, alluvial, and laterite soils. Well-drained, deep, and moisture-retentive soils with a pH between 5.5 and 8.5 are suitable.
Q. What is the seed rate of cotton per acre?
A. The seed rate may vary by variety and method of sowing but generally ranges between 1 to 2 kg per acre.
Q. How deep can cotton seeds be sown?
A. Cotton seeds can be sown at a depth of 4 to 6 cm.
Q. What is the scientific name of cotton?
A. The scientific names of commonly cultivated cotton species include Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium herbaceum and Gossypium barbadense.
