28 TO 29 NOVEMBER 2013 TALKMORE MUKUYU 28 TO 29 NOVEMBER 2013 TALKMORE MUKUYU Zimbabwe Extension Support and Training Project

INTRODUCTION Players/Stakeholders in the industry Economic importance to;  Households  Districts  Provinces  Nation Current state of the industry Prices, who dictates and what are the influences Players/Stakeholders in the industry Economic importance to;  Households  Districts  Provinces  Nation Current state of the industry Prices, who dictates and what are the influences

TERMS IN COTTON Cotton seed Seed cotton Fuss and fuss seed Acid delinted seed Lint Squares Flowers and bolls Monopodial branches Sympodial branches Germination Emergence Ratoon cotton Cotton seed Seed cotton Fuss and fuss seed Acid delinted seed Lint Squares Flowers and bolls Monopodial branches Sympodial branches Germination Emergence Ratoon cotton

LAND PREPARATION Cotton grows slowly first eight weeks. Conventional ploughing exposes soil to erosion before canopy establishment Cotton grows well under CA  Rip on row  Direct seeders  Holing out

ROTATIONSROTATIONS

ROTATIONSROTATIONS Consider the following; ◦ Root depth ◦ Herbicide regime ◦ Soil nitrogen fixing capacity ◦ Soil protection from erosion ◦ Diseases and pests Consider the following; ◦ Root depth ◦ Herbicide regime ◦ Soil nitrogen fixing capacity ◦ Soil protection from erosion ◦ Diseases and pests

PLANTING Time Depth Seed rate Spacing (early planted and late planted Gap filling Seedling diseases Time Depth Seed rate Spacing (early planted and late planted Gap filling Seedling diseases

FERTILITY MANAGEMENT Consider; ◦ Soil fertility status ◦ Previous crop ◦ Yield potential Soil sampling important if resources are available Soil pH and micro- nutrients essential

FERTILITY MANAGEMENT LIMING Soil acidity caused by nitrogenous fertilisers, leaching and parent rock Acidity restricts nutrient uptake Apply before basal Same amount as basal if no soil test done. LIMING Soil acidity caused by nitrogenous fertilisers, leaching and parent rock Acidity restricts nutrient uptake Apply before basal Same amount as basal if no soil test done.

NITROGEN Managing a perennial plant to produce an annual yield Promotes growth Excess nitrogen results in rank growth and cannot be reversed Quarter of total requirement at planting Managing a perennial plant to produce an annual yield Promotes growth Excess nitrogen results in rank growth and cannot be reversed Quarter of total requirement at planting

POTASSIUM Critical for growth and reproductive development Most Zimbabwean soils have high levels but removal of crop residues accelerates depletion Low potash in cotton during boll development results in alternaria and premature defoliation Critical for growth and reproductive development Most Zimbabwean soils have high levels but removal of crop residues accelerates depletion Low potash in cotton during boll development results in alternaria and premature defoliation

PHOSPHATE Required throughout growth, critical during early development for root growth Placement is important Most soils in Zimbabwe have low inherent phosphate

Manure/Compost Thermal compost better in nutrient content than animal manure Also improves soil structure Banding in planting furrows or placing in holes more effective than broadcasting

APPLICATION All potash and phosphate to be applied at or before planting below planting level One quarter of nitrogen at planting In sandy soils half of nitrogen balance at 6 wks and at flowering In heavier soils the balance applied once at flowering or eight weeks All potash and phosphate to be applied at or before planting below planting level One quarter of nitrogen at planting In sandy soils half of nitrogen balance at 6 wks and at flowering In heavier soils the balance applied once at flowering or eight weeks

MICRONUTRIENTSMICRONUTRIENTS Magnesium ◦ Dolomitic lime usually replenishes soil magnesium. ◦ Magnesium important in chlorophyll (green matter) of the leaves Sulphur ◦ Critical in the seed oil production Boron ◦ Required for fruiting and deficiency results in flower and small bolls abortion

MOISTURE CONSERVATION Minimum soil disturbance at planting Mulching Potholing Alternate inter-row ripping Timeous weed control Weed free winter period

WEED CONTROL Weeds compete for nutrients, moisture, and light First eight weeks critical Late weeds interfere with picking and contaminate seed cotton

METHODSMETHODS Hand weeding (hoes) Mechanical weeding Chemical weed control Combinations of the above

Herbicide Practical Calibration Mixing Application Safe use of chemicals Calibration Mixing Application Safe use of chemicals

Pre-plant incorporated These require to be incorporated into the soil Suitable for controlling grasses Small scale farmers may not have the implements to do this Trif, Trifluralin, Trump, Planavin These require to be incorporated into the soil Suitable for controlling grasses Small scale farmers may not have the implements to do this Trif, Trifluralin, Trump, Planavin

Pre-emergent Mainly used for control of broad leaf weeds Cotoran, Bladex, Cotogard, and Gesagard for heavier soils. Cotogard may be used in soils with 10 – 20 % clay Mainly used for control of broad leaf weeds Cotoran, Bladex, Cotogard, and Gesagard for heavier soils. Cotogard may be used in soils with 10 – 20 % clay

Post emergence Cotoran, Gesagard, Diuron, Bladex may be used as lay by post emergent Directed spraying with Roundup on emerged weeds, especially to control nutsedge and morning glory, wandering jew and couch grass.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THANK YOU