Agronomic practices for successful cotton cultivation

摘要

Cotton is an important crop of the Punjab and plays a pivotal role in its agricultural economy. According to a rough estimate, it accounts for an annual turnover of Rs. 500 crores. Under the present circumstances, when ground water table is decliningevery year, it is an ideal alternative for breaking the monopoly of the paddy-wheat rotation and diversifying the State's Agriculture. During the last one decade, cotton production in the state has been declining every year and has become very uneconomical. Cotton growers of the state had to pass through very hard times. Though the reasons for poor yields during the last decade were many, but the inadequate and improper use of the recommended agronomic practices has been one of the major factors for itslow production. But fortunately, the trend in the last two years has been reversed and cotton production in the state has shown positive signs. Hence to sustain the present trend and make cotton cultivation a profitable venture, it is necessary to follow the improved agronomic practices in the right earnest. The following points should be kept in mind.