Best Fertilizer for Cotton in India
Cotton is a long duration cash crop and a moderate to heavy feeder whose yield depends a lot on the right amount of nitrogen given at the right stage. Too much nitrogen early causes excess v
Overview
Cotton is a long duration cash crop and a moderate to heavy feeder whose yield depends a lot on the right amount of nitrogen given at the right stage. Too much nitrogen early causes excess vegetative growth, delayed flowering and more pests, while a shortage at boll formation cuts yield. Phosphorus and potash support roots, flowering and boll filling, and potash improves fibre quality. Bt and hybrid cotton often need more nutrients than older varieties. ICAR-CICR and State Agricultural Universities recommend per acre doses that differ for irrigated, rainfed and summer cotton, with nitrogen split across the season. The figures below are a per acre range. Always adjust them to your Soil Health Card or a fresh soil test, your variety, irrigation and local KVK advice.
Recommended NPK dose for Cotton
For irrigated cotton a common range is about 60 to 100 kg N, 25 to 50 kg P2O5 and 25 to 50 kg K2O per acre. Rainfed cotton needs less, roughly 40 to 80 kg N, 20 to 40 kg P2O5 and 20 to 40 kg K2O per acre. A widely used figure is 50 kg N, 25 to 30 kg P2O5 and 25 to 35 kg K2O per acre for many hybrids. Bt cotton may need the higher end of the nitrogen range. Treat these as a starting range and confirm with your Soil Health Card, a fresh soil test and KVK advice.
Application schedule
Apply all the phosphorus and potash and about one fourth to one third of the nitrogen as a basal dose at sowing, placed near the seed row. Split the rest of the nitrogen into two or three top dressings, the first around 25 to 30 days after sowing at the squaring stage, the second around 50 to 60 days at flowering, and a third if needed at boll formation in long duration crops. Apply nitrogen to moist soil and irrigate after, or place it before rain in rainfed crops. Avoid late nitrogen near maturity, which delays boll opening.
Organic & bio-fertilizers
Apply 4 to 5 tonnes of well rotted farmyard manure or compost per acre during land preparation, which improves soil structure, water holding and nutrient supply. Vermicompost and crop residue incorporation also help, especially on light soils. Biofertilizers such as Azotobacter or Azospirillum and phosphate solubilising bacteria, used as seed treatment or soil application, can reduce part of the chemical nitrogen and phosphorus need. A legume rotation or green manure before cotton builds nitrogen and organic matter and improves the health of the next crop.
Micronutrients & deficiency signs
Cotton commonly needs zinc, boron, magnesium and often sulphur. Zinc deficiency causes small leaves, short internodes and reddening of leaves. Magnesium deficiency turns older leaves reddish purple with green veins, a common cotton symptom. Boron deficiency causes brown rings on petioles, poor square and boll retention and shedding. Sulphur is needed for protein and is often short on light soils. Correct with a basal zinc sulphate dose of about 10 kg per acre, sulphur through single super phosphate or gypsum, and foliar sprays of 0.5 percent zinc sulphate or 0.2 percent borax. Confirm with a soil test or KVK advice.
Tips & cautions
Do not give too much nitrogen early, as it causes rank vegetative growth, delayed flowering, more sucking pests and lower yield. Split nitrogen to match the squaring, flowering and boll stages. Keep phosphorus and potash near the seed at sowing for strong roots and good boll filling. On light and zinc poor soils, apply basal zinc and consider sulphur through SSP or gypsum. Stop nitrogen near maturity so bolls open on time. Use soil test based doses and balance with FYM rather than only chemical fertilizer for sustained yields.
These are general recommendations. For the exact dose, follow your Soil Health Card / soil test and local KVK, and avoid over-applying urea.
FAQs
How much fertilizer does cotton need per acre?
How should I split nitrogen in cotton?
Why are my cotton leaves turning red?
Does Bt cotton need more fertilizer?
Cotton pests & diseases
Get advice for your soil and crop
Ask farmers Cotton price Fertilizer stock