Cotton (Kapās)

Gossypium hirsutum

Cotton is a major commercial cash crop in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Sensitive to waterlogging; drip irrigation controlled via soil moisture sensors increases yield by 30-40%.

Optimal Temperature

21°C - 35°C

Ideal Soil Moisture

35% - 60%

Daily Sunlight

7+ Hours/day

Growth Cycle

150 - 180 days

Soil Type & Fertilizer Ratios

Recommended Soil:

Deep Black Cotton Soil (Regur) or well-drained loamy soil with pH 6.0 - 8.0.

Recommended NPK Ratio:120:60:60 kg/ha

Irrigation Scheduling & Water Requirements

Critical irrigation at Flowering (60-70 days) and Boll Development (90-110 days). Stop watering 20 days prior to final harvest.

Common Pests & Disease Vulnerabilities

Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora)
Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)
Aphids and Jassids
Fusarium Wilt

Optimal Harvesting Signs & Post-Harvest Handling

Pick when 60-70% bolls burst open on sunny dry mornings. Avoid picking moist cotton to maintain fiber quality.