As one of the most valuable cash crops in the world, cotton requires a highly-nutritious soil to produce high yields. Apart from irrigating the crop with adequate water, farmers need to apply fertilizers at the sowing time to enhance the cotton’s nutrient uptake and overall growth.
For cotton, fertilizer application before planting can be a great strategy as it ensures the crop has the necessary nutrients for growth throughout its life cycle. Generally, applying fertilizer before planting ensures an even distribution of nutrients in the soil. Since the early growth stages are when the plant is most susceptible to nutrient deficiencies, applying fertilizer at sowing helps to support early growth and development.
However, farmers must ensure they apply the right amount of fertilizer during the sowing process. This is because excess fertilizer can cause damage to the crops, while applying too little will fail to provide the required nutrients for optimal growth. The appropriate fertilizer dose for cotton depends on various soil factors and the farmer’s sowing technique.
For instance, soils that are low in nitrogen need a higher dose of nitrogen fertilizer, usually ranging between 75-100 kg/ha, while phosphorus fertilizers are crucial for soils with low farmyard manure and sufficient rainfall. Farmers may also mix these fertilizers with non-nutrients-based fertilizers to ensure balanced nutrients for sustained growth of cotton.
When applying fertilizers during the sowing season, farmers should use recommended fertilizer rates tailored to the local conditions and their soil requirements. Additionally, they should avoid applying fertilizers in excessive amounts, as this could lead to nutrient leaching, soil degradation, and environmental pollution.
In conclusion, applying the right amount of fertilizer during cotton sowing plays a vital role in enhancing its growth and maximizing yields. It is crucial for farmers to prioritize soil sampling before applying fertilizer, as this helps to determine the specific needs of the soil in the field. By doing so, they can ensure that their cotton crops receive the optimal nutrient doses and ultimately produce high-quality yields at the end of the growing season.