Description

Cotton (Gossypium L.), the king of fibres, is an industrial commodity of worldwide importance. It has the slowest early growth and the lowest nutrient uptake initially which increases rapidly afterwards. Approximately the uptake of 76% of total N, 86% of P and 82% of K take place in cotton between 49-99 days after planting. Broadcasting of fertilizers, especially P and K, produces fixation problems due to more soil contact. Nearly 58-71%, 30-40% and less than 2% of total cotton growing roots are located in the top 20, 20-40 and below 40cm soil depth, respectively. Further, it is feasible to grow cotton with reduced tillage. The reduced-tillage production methods results into decrease in the number of tractor operations by 41% to 53%, fuel use by 48% to 62% and overall production costs by 14% to 18%. A tractor operated cotton precision planter was developed and evaluated for differential rate application of fertilizers at different depths along rows of seed placement under reduced tillage conditions. The development planter shall be especially useful to professionals in precision farming in cotton, or anyone else who is related to the production in cotton.