Irrigated Cotton	Rainfed Cotton	Rice Fallow Cotton

RICE FALLOW COTTON

MANAGEMENT OF FIELD OPERATIONS

1. PREPARATION OF THE FIELD

• If the soil is in waxy condition, instead of Zero tillage, the seed rows may be tilled and the seed dibbled in Virudhunagar district.
• If the soil is dry and not in condition to take up sowing, let in water and then allow the soil to dry till soil comes to waxy condition.
• At the lower level of the field dig a trench 15 cm wide and connect this trench to the outside channel to drain off the excess water.

2. PRE-TREATMENT OF ACID DELINTED SEEDS WITH FUNGICIDES

• Same as for the irrigated crop.
• Treat the acid delinted and fungicide treated seeds with 3 packets (600g) of Azospirillum and sow immediately.

3.SOWING THE SEEDS

                          * In fertile soils

4. FILLING UP GAPS

• Fill up gaps on the 10th day of sowing.
• Dibble 2 to 3 acid delinted seeds or 4 to 5 fuzzy seeds in the gaps in the case of MCU 7 and SVPR 3

5. THINNING SEEDLINGS

• Thin out seedlings on the 20th day of sowing.
• Leave only one healthy and vigorous seedling per hill.
  

6. WEED MANAGEMENT

• Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin 3.3 l/ha ensures weed free condition for 40 - 45 days. This should be followed by one hand weeding and earthing up during 40 - 45 days.
• Take up hoeing and weeding 20 days after sowing.
• Take up this operation when the top soil dries up and comes to proper condition.

7. APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS

1. Apply NPK fertilisers as per soil test recommendations. If soil test is not done follow the blanket recommendation of 60:30:30 kg NPK/ha.
2. Apply half the dose of N and K full dose of P5O5  at 35th day in old delta and balance in 55 days the rows of cotton plants.  In the case New  delta apply full P and 1/3 of N and K at 20 DAS and 2/3 N and K at 40 DAS.

8. APPLICATION OF MICRONUTRIENTS
Apply basally12.5 kg/ha micronutrient mixture prepared by Department of Agriculture.  Apply MgSo4 basally @ 20 kg/ha to prevent reddening.

9. FORMATION OF RIDGES

Old delta

1. If soil is in condition, give a hoeing with mammutti and form ridges and incorporate the fertilizer in the soil around the plants between 30th to 35th day of sowing.
2. If soil is not in condition, give one hoeing and weeding and cover the fertilizers.
3. Form long ridges and furrows from one end of the field to the other without forming any separate channels for carrying water to prevent excessive soaking of water.
4. Form ridges and furrows on alternate rows of plants. Skip furrow method of irrigation to prevent excessive irrigation

New delta

1. Give a hoeing with mummutti / spade and form ridges and incorporate the fertilizer in the soil around the plants on the 40th day of sowing.
2. If soil is not in condition give one hoeing and weeding and cover the fertilizers.
3. Form long ridges & furrows on alternate rows of plants to adopt skip furrow irrigation.

Note: In case of zinc deficient soils, apply 50 kg ZnSo4 /ha 

10. APPLYING OF NAA
Spray 40 ppm of NAA (40 mg of NAA dissolved in one litre of water) at 40/45th day using high volume spray. Repeat the same dose after 15 days of first spraying.

11. TOPPING
Arrest terminal growth by nipping the terminal 15th  node for controlling excessive vegetative growth. (70-75 DAS)

12. WATER MANAGEMENT
     Regulate irrigation according to the growth phases of the crops.

Stop irrigation from the 113th day onwards.
Note: 1) The irrigation schedule given above is only a guideline and regulate irrigation depending upon the prevailing weather conditions and receipt of rains.
           2) Observe the crop and if the plants show wilting symptoms in the afternoon and in the evening hours, give an additional irrigation.

Source:
www.cicr.nic.in
www.geocities.com/civilwarstudy101/cotton