ZEST COTTON PRODUCTION TRAINING

ZEST COTTON PRODUCTION TRAINING28 TO 29 NOVEMBER 2013

TALKMORE MUKUYUmukuyutalk@comone.co.zw

Zimbabwe Extension Support and Training Project1INTRODUCTIONPlayers/Stakeholders in the industryEconomic importance to;HouseholdsDistrictsProvincesNationCurrent state of the industryPrices, who dictates and what are the influencesTERMS 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 establishmentCotton grows well under CARip on rowDirect seedersHoling out

ROTATIONS

ROTATIONSConsider the following;Root depthHerbicide regimeSoil nitrogen fixing capacitySoil protection from erosionDiseases and pests

PLANTINGTimeDepthSeed rateSpacing (early planted and late plantedGap fillingSeedling diseases

FERTILITY MANAGEMENTConsider;Soil fertility statusPrevious cropYield potentialSoil sampling important if resources are availableSoil pH and micro-nutrients essential

FERTILITY MANAGEMENTLIMINGSoil acidity caused by nitrogenous fertilisers, leaching and parent rockAcidity restricts nutrient uptakeApply before basalSame amount as basal if no soil test done.

NITROGENManaging a perennial plant to produce an annual yieldPromotes growthExcess nitrogen results in rank growth and cannot be reversedQuarter of total requirement at planting

POTASSIUMCritical for growth and reproductive developmentMost Zimbabwean soils have high levels but removal of crop residues accelerates depletionLow potash in cotton during boll development results in alternaria and premature defoliation

PHOSPHATERequired throughout growth, critical during early development for root growthPlacement is importantMost soils in Zimbabwe have low inherent phosphate

Manure/CompostThermal compost better in nutrient content than animal manureAlso 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 levelOne quarter of nitrogen at plantingIn sandy soils half of nitrogen balance at 6 wks and at floweringIn heavier soils the balance applied once at flowering or eight weeks

MICRONUTRIENTSMagnesiumDolomitic lime usually replenishes soil magnesium.Magnesium important in chlorophyll (green matter) of the leavesSulphurCritical in the seed oil productionBoronRequired for fruiting and deficiency results in flower and small bolls abortion

MOISTURE CONSERVATIONMinimum soil disturbance at plantingMulchingPotholingAlternate inter-row rippingTimeous weed controlWeed free winter period

WEED CONTROLWeeds compete for nutrients, moisture, and lightFirst eight weeks criticalLate weeds interfere with picking and contaminate seed cotton

METHODSHand weeding (hoes)Mechanical weedingChemical weed controlCombinations 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, PlanavinPre-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 % clayPost 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