Early Cotton Sowing: Punjab Targets 0.7 Million Acres
LAHORE: The suitable sowing period for early cotton, keeping temperature considerations in view, is till March 31. A spokesman for the department said here on Saturday that Punjab Agriculture department has fixed a target of 0.7 million acres for early cotton cultivation in the province.
Strategic Sowing & Varieties
He said, “Districts of Multan, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Sargodha and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions are most suitable for early cotton cultivation.” The department had strictly recommended sowing only triple gene cotton varieties for early cultivation, he added.
- Seed Certification: Seeds must be certified by the Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department.
- Warning: Seeds should be of a pure Triple Gene variety. Otherwise, applying glyphosate spray will result in the death of non-Triple Gene cotton plants.
- Yield Expectation: Average, early cotton cultivation yield is up to 50 to 60 maunds per acre.
Technical Recommendations for Farmers
For optimal growth, the department has shared the following technical guidelines:
| Requirement | Recommended Specification |
| Row Spacing | 2.5 feet between rows |
| Plant Spacing | 1.5 to 2 feet between plants |
| Drill Sowing Seed Rate | 2 to 3 kg per acre |
| Seed for 60% Germination | 5 to 6 kg per acre |
| Seed for 75%+ Germination | 4 to 5 kg per acre |
Farmers should also arrange an additional 10% seed to compensate for any gaps in the field.
The Importance of Soil Testing for Cotton Yield
Soil testing before sowing cotton is essential to ensure better crop yield and maintain soil fertility. In a message to farmers, the director of Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan said soil analysis provides useful information about the availability and deficiency of nutrients in the land.
Nutrient Management
The test helps determine levels of:
- Nitrogen & Phosphorus
- Potassium & Zinc
- Boron and other essential nutrients
Sabahat Hussain added that unnecessary and excessive use of fertilizers could damage crops and increase production costs, especially when fertilizer prices were already rising. She warned that applying fertilizers without soil testing could harm the crop if certain nutrients were already present in sufficient quantities in the soil.
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