Cotton

Leading Countries 1.China 1.China 2.USA 2.USA 3.India 3.India 4.Pakistan 4.Pakistan 5.Uzbekistan 5.Uzbekistan

Botany A perennial A perennial Coldest temps F Coldest temps F Height = 2-5 feet Height = 2-5 feet Deep tap root Deep tap root Bolls Bolls Squares Squares

Heat Units Planting to emergence 50 Planting to emergence 50 Emergence to squaring 450 Emergence to squaring 450 Emergence to first bloom 780 Emergence to first bloom 780 Emergence to first open boll1,730 Emergence to first open boll1,730 Normal crop production2,800 Normal crop production2,800 How to calculate heat units: How to calculate heat units: Daily low + daily high ÷ 2 – 60 0 F = heat units Daily low + daily high ÷ 2 – 60 0 F = heat units

Varieties Acala Acala Pima Pima

Cultural Practices Tillage Tillage Rip Rip Disc Disc Seed bed (row spacing – 38” – 40”) Seed bed (row spacing – 38” – 40”) Planting Planting Depth, ¾ - 2 “ Depth, ¾ - 2 “ 2-3 plants per foot 2-3 plants per foot Crop Rotation Crop Rotation Follows Alfalfa or other legume Follows Alfalfa or other legume

Fertilization N, lbs./ac N, lbs./ac P, lbs./ac P, lbs./ac K, lbs./ac K, 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 up between squares and boll formation. In addition, 60% of the mineral nutrients are taken up between squares and boll formation.

Irrigation The goal is to keep 50% field capacity or higher through out the growing season. The goal is to keep 50% field capacity or higher through out the growing season. You will apply, depending on the soil texture, acre feet per season. You will apply, depending on the soil texture, acre feet per season. A plant during peak season can take up to of an inch of water a day. A plant during peak season can take up to of an inch of water a day.

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

Weed management Early season weeds reduce yields due to the competition for nutrients and light. Early season weeds reduce yields due to the competition for nutrients and light. Late season weeds cause problems in harvesting and quality. Late season weeds cause problems in harvesting and quality. Common herbicides; Prowl, Poast, Lorax, Fusilade 2000, & Round-up in Round-up ready varities. Common herbicides; Prowl, Poast, Lorax, Fusilade 2000, & Round-up in Round-up ready varities. Mechanical cultivation is a common practice. Mechanical cultivation is a common practice.

Diseases Fursaruim Wilt Fursaruim Wilt Vericilium Wilt Vericilium Wilt Bacterial blight Bacterial blight Cotton-boll rots Cotton-boll rots Root-knot nematode Root-knot nematode Root rot Root rot

Insects Pink Bollworm Pink Bollworm Boll Weevil Boll Weevil Aphid Aphid Lygus Lygus Mites Mites

Harvesting Defoliation Defoliation Why do we defoliate? Why do we defoliate? Picking Picking Modules Modules How does the cotton picker work? How does the cotton picker work?

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

Grades of cotton Grades are determined on; Grades are determined on; Color Color Ginning preparation Ginning preparation Maturity Maturity Leaf and other foreign matter Leaf and other foreign matter There are 9 basic grades of cotton which are broken into 43 different grades There are 9 basic grades of cotton which are broken into 43 different grades

Quality Grades These are determined by; These are determined by; Fiber length (staple) measured by a fibrograph Fiber length (staple) measured by a fibrograph Length uniformity, measured by a high value instrument Length uniformity, measured by a high value instrument Fiber strength, measured by a high value instrument Fiber strength, measured by a high value instrument Fiber fineness and maturity, measured by a micronaire instrument. Fiber fineness and maturity, measured by a micronaire instrument. What is city cotton? What is city cotton?

Terms Square Square Boll Boll Lock Lock Lint Lint Tagging Tagging Rank growth Rank growth City cotton City cotton Cotton seed Cotton seed Seed cotton Seed cotton Linters Linters Bale Bale Nip Nip Nap Nap Hue Hue