zest cotton production training
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ZEST COTTON PRODUCTION TRAINING. Zimbabwe Extension Support and Training Project. 28 TO 29 NOVEMBER 2013 TALKMORE MUKUYU [email protected]. INTRODUCTION. Players/Stakeholders in the industry Economic importance to; Households Districts Provinces Nation - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
ZEST COTTON PRODUCTION TRAINING
28 TO 29 NOVEMBER 2013
TALKMORE [email protected]
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
productionBoron
◦ 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