Challenge your understanding of cotton cultivation, from planting to harvest. Assess your knowledge on important agricultural practices for optimal cotton production.
Which type of soil is generally considered most suitable for growing cotton crops successfully?
Explanation: Sandy loam soil provides good drainage, aeration, and root development, making it ideal for cotton. Clay soils retain too much water, peaty soils are usually acidic and waterlogged, while gravelly soils drain excessively and lack nutrients.
In most subtropical regions, when is the recommended period for sowing cotton seeds to achieve the best yields?
Explanation: Spring provides rising temperatures and longer days, both favorable for cotton germination and growth. Late summer and mid-autumn are too late for a full crop cycle, and winter is too cold for seedling establishment.
During which growth stage does cotton typically have the greatest need for water irrigation?
Explanation: Flowering and boll formation are peak water-demand periods crucial for yield. Seedlings need moderate moisture but less than the reproductive stages. Pre-sowing irrigation helps seedbed preparation, and harvesting requires dry conditions.
Which approach is commonly used for effective weed control in cotton fields?
Explanation: Inter-row cultivation disrupts weed growth mechanically between cotton rows. Broadcast irrigation does not control weeds, heavy fertilizer use may even promote their growth, and night-time sowing is unrelated to weed management.
What is a reliable sign that cotton bolls are ready to be harvested in the field?
Explanation: Fully opened bolls indicate mature cotton fiber ready for picking. Dark green leaves signal active growth, moist stems do not relate to boll maturity, and exposed roots reflect poor cultivation, not harvesting time.