Cotton

Application of FYM or Compost

• Spread 12.5 t of FYM or compost or 2.5 t of vermicompost per ha if available, uniformly on the unploughed soil.
• Azophos 2kg/ha or Azospirillum + Phosphorus Solubilising Bacteria + Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotropics @ 2.2 kg/ha each apply as basal application.

Application of Biofertilizer

Seed treatment with 3 packets of Azospirillum (600 g/ha) and 3 packets (600 g/ha) of Phosphobacteria or 6 packets of Azophos (1200 g/ha). 

In addition apply and 10 packets of Azospirillum (2000 g/ha) and 10 packets(2000 g/ha)  of Phosphobacteria or 20 packets of Azophos(4000 g/ha)mixed with 25 kg FYM and 25 kg of soil on the seed line. This saves 25% nitrogen besides increasing yield.

Application of Inorganic Fertilizers

• Apply NPK fertilizers as per soil test recommendations.
• If soil test recommendations are not available, follow the blanket recommendation for the different varieties.

• If basal application could not be done, apply on the 25th day after sowing.
• Apply 50 per cent of N and K full dose of P2O5 as basal and remaining ½ N and K at 40 – 45 DAS for varieties.  For hybrids apply N in three splits viz., basal, 45 and 65 DAS.
• Foliar application of 2% DAP + 1% KCl or polyfeed and Multi k may be sprayed to improve kapas yield
• Apply the fertilizers in a band, two-thirds of the distance from the top of the ridge, and incorporate.
   
  

Application of Micronutrient Mixture

• TNAU MN mixture 12.5 kg/ha for variety and 15 kg/ha for hybrid apply as enriched FYM. Enriched FYM is prepared at 1.10 ratio of MN mixture and FYM, mixed at friable moisture and for one month in shade. Need based foliar spray of 2% Mgso4 + 1% urea during boll formation stage.
• Mix 12.5 kg of micronutrient mixture formulated by the Department of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu with enough sand to make a total quantity of 50 kg for one ha.

Nutritional Disorders Correction

• In the case of Zinc deficient soils ZnSO4 @ 50 kg/ha as basal or ZnSO4 0.5% spray thrice at 45, 60 and 75 DAS.
• When reddening occurs in leaves apply 5% MgSO4 Urea (1.0%) and ZnSO4 (0.10%) as foliar spray on 50th and 80th day to correct this malady.   In Mg deficient areas apply MgSo4 @ 20 kg/ha basally.
• Need based foliar spray of 2% MgSo4 + 1% Urea during boll formation stage.

Top Dressing

• Top dress 50% of the recommended dose of N and K on 40 – 45 DAS for varieties.
• Top dress 1/3rd of recommended dose of N on 40-45 DAS and the remaining 1/3rd on 60-65th DAS for hybrids.

Rice Fallow Cotton

Application of Fertilizers

• 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.
• Apply half the dose of N and K full dose of P2O5 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.

Application of Micronutrients

Apply basally12.5 kg/ha micronutrient mixture prepared by Department of Agriculture.  Apply MgSO4 basally @ 20 kg/ha to prevent reddening.

Rainfed Cotton

Application of FYM or Compost

• Spread 12.5 t of FYM or compost or composted coir pith or 2.5t of vermicompost per ha uniformly on the unploughed soil.
• Incorporate the manure in the soil by working the multipurpose implement or country plough.

Application of Inorganic Fertilizers

• Apply NPK fertilizers as per soil test recommendation as far as possible.
• If soil tests are not done, follow the blanket recommendations for the different varieties.

Application of Micronutrient Mixture

Yield Maximization and reducing reddening in Bt cotton Rainfed

Application of TNAU MN mixture (7.5 kg ha-1 as EFYM for variety and 10 kg ha-1 as EFYM for Bt cotton) and TNAU PGR foliar formulation @ 1.5% concentration at square and boll formation stages along with the recommended NPK to obtain the maximum seed cotton yield with reduced extent of leaf reddening..

Foliar Fertilization
    
Spray 0.5% urea and 1% KCl on the 45th and 65th day of sowing if sufficient moisture is available.

Updated on : 19.03.2013