MULTAN: Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Director Dr. Muhammad Naveed Afzal said that selection of suitable land for cotton cultivation is very important to achieve maximum yield.
In a statement issued here, he said the fertile soil, which effectively absorbs water and retains moisture for a long time, is ideal for cotton cultivation. Dr. Afzal emphasized that not all types of soil such as clay, sandy or saline soil are suitable for cotton cultivation, but with expert advice from agricultural specialists, cotton can be grown on ridges in such lands.
Dr. Afzal advocated the use of laser soil levelers to ensure evenness of the soil surface as laser levelers facilitate the easy flow of water and ensure consistent irrigation of all crops in the field. This approach not only saves water by up to 15-20%, but also leads to a 10-15% increase in yield, he added. He advised farmers to prepare the soil thoroughly by deep plowing so that the roots penetrate deeper and retain moisture for a longer period.
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Instead of burning residues from previous crops, Dr. Afzal incorporates them into the soil to increase its fertility. Dr. Afzal suggested using rotary cultivators, disc harrows or plows to ensure proper incorporation without any hassle. In addition, he advised farmers to irrigate fields within 10 days of sowing to ensure proper seed germination and to add half a bag of urea per acre at planting to speed up the flowering process.
Dr. Afzal also emphasized the importance of keeping the fields smooth during land preparation and urged farmers to take precautionary measures for drainage during heavy rains by digging deep 4×4 pits in one corner of the fields.
