Cotton Production by Yanan Jiang

Cotton is one of the most important fiber crops in the world. It is cultivated in more than 100 countries contributing about 40% of the global market. About 350 million people are directly or indirectly linked with cotton production and industry. Cotton has major share in global agriculture economy; however, its production and yield are compromised due to various biotic, abiotic, and climatic factors. To meet the global need, innovative research has been carried out to enhance the cotton production. Cotton is major economic crop in the world. However, its production is restricted by various biotic and abiotic factors. Its growth and efficiency are rigorously influenced by the stresses such as high temperature, salinity, less water availability, diseases, insects, etc.

This book provides you with a solid foundation in environmentally and economically sustainable, efficient cotton production. You will examine aspects of breeding, cotton growth and development, nutrition and soil management, irrigation, farm design and cotton quality, building your understanding of the theoretical framework and principles of the cotton production system.

Cotton is the world's leading natural fiber and second largest oilseed crop in production. The majority of cotton's value resides in the fiber and while production has increased over the past two decades, fiber quality has declined over the same time-span in many production regions. This downward trend has been attributed to the general erosion of genetic diversity and an increase in low-input systems and expanded production in marginal environments. Concurrently, the textile industry has transitioned toward spinning technology that demands fibers that are long, uniform, mature, fine, strong, and with low contamination levels. Production and preservation of cotton fiber quality from new germplasm, improved in-season crop management, timely and efficient harvesting, and ginning are all critical factors to meet these demands and to compete with synthetic fibers. Sustainable production and preservation of fiber quality, especially in stressful environments, requires improvements in each of these areas and new systems-level approaches that incorporate physiology, genetics, agronomy, and engineering. Information covered are as follows; soil preparation, growth stages, pest types and controls, nutritional needs, harvesting, and items provided by cotton to humans and livestock.

An understanding of the resources used in cotton production, principles underlying agronomic practices used, detailed studies of cotton growth, development & plant breeding, irrigation, nutrition & fertilizer use, & factors that affect quality of cotton fiber & price.