Cotton - All Articles

Yield is essentially controlled by the genetics of the plant and the environment.

The elongation of the fibers is affected adversely by extremes in temperature in early development phase.

Cotton yield relates fundamentally to plant health. Having the right balance of nutrient levels at various growth stages is critical for defense against plant pathogens and overall plant function.

Cotton is a herbaceous plant of the Malva (Malvaceae) family. Cotton is grown for fiber and oil seed. The cotton plant is unique because it is a perennial with an indeterminate growth habit and has perhaps the most complex structure of any major field crop.

Cotton has low tolerance to acidity, aluminum toxicity and low calcium content, and acidity alleviation is essential to achieve high crop yields.

Cotton is cultivated to meet various purposes, which may vary according product availability or market interests. The main cotton products are cotton fiber, cottonseed, cottonseed cake, hull and bran.

The cotton plant grows in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. It is native to various continents including the Americas, Africa, Asia (India) and Australia. The region with the most diverse native species is Mexico.

Bale, boll, cut out, first square, flowering, ginning, match head, peak bloom, pinhead and square.

Nitrogen is important in fueling growth and providing high yields. It ensures optimal photosynthetic production in leaves.

Phosphorus plays an important role in the energy transfer processes of the plant cells and is needed for normal growth and development.

Potassium is essential to the growth and development of cotton and is integrally involved in metabolism and plant/water relations.

Boron (B) is the most important micronutrient for cotton and is demanded in the highest amounts. It is extremely critical for boll development, and this need is intensified in modern high-yielding varieties that fruit quickly.

Sulfur is essential to the formation of plant proteins and amino acids, and it's involved in the reduction of nitrate to amino acids. Including S in a cotton fertilizer program is critical to maximize yield potential.

Mn is an essential micronutrient in cotton. It is involved with chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthesis, and helps improve N-utilization in the cotton. Manganese has also been associated with improved resistance to root diseases. Past data indicates that cotton greatly benefits from adequate levels of Mn through increased yields and increased earliness.