ZEST COTTON PRODUCTION TRAINING

28 TO 29 NOVEMBER 2013

TALKMORE MUKUYU

mukuyutalk@comone.co.zw

Zimbabwe Extension Support and Training Project

INTRODUCTIONPlayers/Stakeholders in the

industryEconomic importance to;

Households Districts Provinces Nation

Current state of the industryPrices, who dictates and what are

the influences

TERMS IN COTTONCotton seedSeed cottonFuss and fuss seedAcid delinted seedLintSquaresFlowers and bollsMonopodial

branchesSympodial branchesGerminationEmergenceRatoon cotton

LAND PREPARATIONCotton grows slowly

first eight weeks.Conventional

ploughing exposes soil to erosion before canopy establishment

Cotton grows well under CA

Rip on row Direct seeders Holing out

ROTATIONS

ROTATIONSConsider the

following;◦ Root depth◦ Herbicide regime◦ Soil nitrogen fixing

capacity◦ Soil protection from

erosion◦ Diseases and pests

PLANTINGTimeDepthSeed rateSpacing

(early planted and late planted

Gap fillingSeedling

diseases

FERTILITY MANAGEMENTConsider;

◦ Soil fertility status◦ Previous crop◦ Yield potential

Soil sampling important if resources are available

Soil pH and micro-nutrients essential

FERTILITY MANAGEMENTLIMINGSoil acidity caused

by nitrogenous fertilisers, leaching and parent rock

Acidity restricts nutrient uptake

Apply before basalSame amount as

basal if no soil test done.

NITROGENManaging a

perennial plant to produce an annual yield

Promotes growthExcess nitrogen

results in rank growth and cannot be reversed

Quarter of total requirement at planting

POTASSIUMCritical for growth and

reproductive development

Most Zimbabwean soils have high levels but removal of crop residues accelerates depletion

Low potash in cotton during boll development results in alternaria and premature defoliation

PHOSPHATERequired

throughout growth, critical during early development for root growth

Placement is important

Most soils in Zimbabwe have low inherent phosphate

Manure/CompostThermal compost

better in nutrient content than animal manure

Also improves soil structure

Banding in planting furrows or placing in holes more effective than broadcasting

APPLICATIONAll potash and

phosphate to be applied at or before planting below planting level

One quarter of nitrogen at planting

In sandy soils half of nitrogen balance at 6 wks and at flowering

In heavier soils the balance applied once at flowering or eight weeks

MICRONUTRIENTSMagnesium

◦ Dolomitic lime usually replenishes soil magnesium.

◦ Magnesium important in chlorophyll (green matter) of the leaves

Sulphur◦ Critical in the seed oil

production

Boron◦ Required for fruiting and

deficiency results in flower and small bolls abortion

MOISTURE CONSERVATIONMinimum soil

disturbance at planting

MulchingPotholingAlternate inter-

row rippingTimeous weed

controlWeed free winter

period

WEED CONTROLWeeds compete

for nutrients, moisture, and light

First eight weeks critical

Late weeds interfere with picking and contaminate seed cotton

METHODSHand

weeding (hoes)

Mechanical weeding

Chemical weed control

Combinations of the above

Herbicide PracticalCalibrationMixingApplicationSafe use of

chemicals

Pre-plant incorporatedThese require to be incorporated

into the soilSuitable for controlling grassesSmall scale farmers may not

have the implements to do thisTrif, Trifluralin, Trump, Planavin

Pre-emergent Mainly used for control of broad

leaf weedsCotoran, Bladex, Cotogard, and

Gesagard for heavier soils.Cotogard may be used in soils

with 10 – 20 % clay

Post emergenceCotoran, Gesagard, Diuron,

Bladex may be used as lay by post emergent

Directed spraying with Roundup on emerged weeds, especially to control nutsedge and morning glory, wandering jew and couch grass.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

THANK YOU