CottonCotton

Leading CountriesLeading Countries

1.1. ChinaChina 2.2. USAUSA 3.3. IndiaIndia 4.4. PakistanPakistan 5.5. UzbekistanUzbekistan

BotanyBotany

A perennialA perennial Coldest temps. 65Coldest temps. 6500FF Height = 2-5 feetHeight = 2-5 feet Deep tap rootDeep tap root BollsBolls SquaresSquares

Heat UnitsHeat Units

Planting to emergencePlanting to emergence 50 50 Emergence to squaringEmergence to squaring 450 450 Emergence to first bloomEmergence to first bloom 780 780 Emergence to first open bollEmergence to first open boll 1,7301,730 Normal crop productionNormal crop production 2,8002,800

How to calculate heat units:How to calculate heat units: Daily low + daily high Daily low + daily high ÷ 2 – 60÷ 2 – 6000F = heat unitsF = heat units

VarietiesVarieties

AcalaAcala PimaPima

Cultural PracticesCultural Practices

TillageTillage RipRip DiscDisc Seed bed (row spacing – 38” – 40”)Seed bed (row spacing – 38” – 40”)

PlantingPlanting Depth, ¾ - 2 “Depth, ¾ - 2 “ 2-3 plants per foot2-3 plants per foot

Crop RotationCrop Rotation Follows Alfalfa or other legumeFollows Alfalfa or other legume

FertilizationFertilization

• N, 80-120 lbs./acN, 80-120 lbs./ac• P, 18-20 lbs./acP, 18-20 lbs./ac• K, 18-20 lbs./acK, 18-20 lbs./ac• Note; to much N can cause rank growth.Note; to much N can cause rank growth.• Also amounts will depend on the soil type.Also amounts will depend on the soil type.• In addition, 60% of the mineral nutrients are taken In addition, 60% of the mineral nutrients are taken

up between squares and boll formation.up between squares and boll formation.

IrrigationIrrigation

• The goal is to keep 50% field capacity or higher The goal is to keep 50% field capacity or higher through out the growing season.through out the growing season.

• You will apply, depending on the soil texture, 2-You will apply, depending on the soil texture, 2-3.5 acre feet per season.3.5 acre feet per season.

• A plant during peak season can take up to .25 - .45 A plant during peak season can take up to .25 - .45 of an inch of water a day.of an inch of water a day.

Growth and DevelopmentGrowth and Development

• Cotton matures 150 days after planting.Cotton matures 150 days after planting.• It emerges 7-10 days after planting.It emerges 7-10 days after planting.• Blooms early July.Blooms early July.• First bolls open mid to late August.First bolls open mid to late August.

• Note: to prevent rank growth one might apply a Note: to prevent rank growth one might apply a growth regulator such as; Pix, Mepex, Topit, growth regulator such as; Pix, Mepex, Topit, Mepichlor, ect..Mepichlor, ect..

Weed managementWeed management

• Early season weeds reduce yields due to the Early season weeds reduce yields due to the competition for nutrients and light.competition for nutrients and light.

• Late season weeds cause problems in harvesting Late season weeds cause problems in harvesting and quality.and quality.

• Common herbicides; Prowl, Poast, Lorax, Fusilade Common herbicides; Prowl, Poast, Lorax, Fusilade 2000, & Round-up in Round-up ready varities.2000, & Round-up in Round-up ready varities.

• Mechanical cultivation is a common practice.Mechanical cultivation is a common practice.

DiseasesDiseases

Fursaruim WiltFursaruim Wilt Vericilium WiltVericilium Wilt Bacterial blightBacterial blight Cotton-boll rotsCotton-boll rots Root-knot nematodeRoot-knot nematode Root rotRoot rot

InsectsInsects

Pink BollwormPink Bollworm Boll WeevilBoll Weevil AphidAphid LygusLygus MitesMites

HarvestingHarvesting

DefoliationDefoliation Why do we defoliate?Why do we defoliate? PickingPicking ModulesModules How does the cotton picker work?How does the cotton picker work?

GinningGinning

The cotton fibers are removed from the seed.The cotton fibers are removed from the seed. There are two different methods used and they There are two different methods used and they

depend on the variety.depend on the variety.

Grades of cottonGrades of cotton

Grades are determined on;Grades are determined on; ColorColor Ginning preparationGinning preparation MaturityMaturity Leaf and other foreign matterLeaf and other foreign matter There are 9 basic grades of cotton which are There are 9 basic grades of cotton which are

broken into 43 different gradesbroken into 43 different grades

Quality GradesQuality Grades

These are determined by;These are determined by; Fiber length (staple) measured by a fibrographFiber length (staple) measured by a fibrograph Length uniformity, measured by a high value Length uniformity, measured by a high value

instrumentinstrument Fiber strength, measured by a high value Fiber strength, measured by a high value

instrumentinstrument Fiber fineness and maturity, measured by a Fiber fineness and maturity, measured by a

micronaire instrument.micronaire instrument. What is city cotton?What is city cotton?

TermsTerms

SquareSquare BollBoll LockLock LintLint TaggingTagging Rank growthRank growth City cottonCity cotton Cotton seedCotton seed

Seed cottonSeed cotton LintersLinters BaleBale NipNip NapNap HueHue