Cotton Cultivation: Types, Process & Uses

Cotton cultivation plays an important role in our country's industrial and agricultural economy. Cotton is a natural plant fibre that grows in a protective case (boll) around the seeds of the cotton plant. 

• Cotton fibre contains almost 99 per cent cellulose and has multiple uses. 
• The word 'cotton' is derived from the Arabic word 'qutn,' which means soft. 
• Cotton is a natural fibre that is procured from the cotton plant. 
• It grows in a protective case or balls around the seeds of the cotton plant. 
• The fibre has an insoluble substance comprising long chains of glucose monomers. 
• Cotton cultivation is primarily done for sale in the market – cash crops. 
• In India, cotton is raised as a kharif crop – it is grown during the monsoon season (June – October).

Key Terms: Cotton, Cotton Cultivation, Cotton boll, Ginning, Spinning, Weaving, Knitting, Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium herbaceum, Sliver

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Types of Cotton 

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There are mainly four varieties of cotton grown in the world. These are as follows:

Gossypium Hirsutum

Gossypium hirsutum is also known as upland cotton or Mexican cotton and is native to Central America, Mexico, Caribbean and Florida. It is the most widely used cotton in the world.

• It accounts for nearly 90 percent of the total cotton production in the world.
• This is mainly used for making cotton fabrics.

Gossypium Barbadense

Gossypium barbadense is also called extra-long staple (ELS) cotton. This type of cotton is native to the countries of South America.

• It accounts for almost 8 percent of the total cotton production in the world.
• It produces cotton with long and silky fibres.

Gossypium Arboreum

Gossypium arboreum is also known as tree cotton and is native to the countries of India and Pakistan. This type of cotton accounts for less than 2 percent of the total cotton production in the world.

Gossypium Herbaceum

Gossypium herbaceum is also popularly called Levant cotton. This type of cotton is indigenous to the semi-arid regions of Arabia and sub-Saharan Africa.

• It also contributes to less than 2 percent of the total cotton production in the world.
• The cotton is mainly used for manufacturing textiles.

Besides these, several hybrid varieties are also grown across the world.

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Conditions for Cotton Cultivation

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The following conditions need to be fulfilled for the successful cultivation of cotton:

Temperature

Cotton is a subtropical crop that requires a high temperature ranging between 21°C and 30°C. Additionally, a frost-free period of at least 200 days is necessary for the ideal growth of cotton.

Rainfall

A moderate rainfall varying between 50 and 75 cm is essential for the proper growth of cotton. Rainfall is mainly required during the early stages of the growth of the cotton plant.

• Rainfall during boll-opening and harvesting periods is detrimental for the plant as it becomes vulnerable to pests and diseases.
• In areas of low rainfall, irrigation is necessary for the growth of cotton.

Soil

Cotton thrives well in well-drained clayey soils containing lime and phosphates. Therefore, regur or black soil is most suitable for cotton cultivation across the world.

• It also grows well in the red and laterite soils

Relief

Cotton cultivation is possible only on flat and level terrain.

Labour

Cotton cultivation demands a huge labour force, especially at the time of picking. Thus, it is best suited for areas where a cheap and efficient labour force is available.

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Processes of Cotton Cultivation

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A variety of processes are utilised for making cotton fabrics from the cotton bolls. These have been explained as follows:

Harvesting

In India, cotton is raised as a kharif crop and therefore, is mainly harvested in the months of September and October. The cotton can be picked using either traditional methods (by hand) or through modern techniques ( by machines).

Ginning

After harvesting the cotton crop, the cotton is ginned. Ginning can be defined as the process that involves separating the fibres or lint from the cotton seeds.

• It can be done using either traditional methods (by hand) or through modern techniques ( by machines).

Fibre Bales

The cotton lint or fibre is then shrunk into bales and are transported to different manufacturing regions.

Spinning

The next step involves spinning the cotton fibre. Spinning can be defined as the process of converting the cotton fibre into yarn. The fibres are initially combed to form a rope-like mass of fibres called sliver.

• These slivers are then spun to produce yarn.
• Spinning is mainly done using machines including charkha.

Knitting or Weaving

The cotton yarn is either knitted by interlocking the looped strands with the help of needles or are woven by interlacing the strands on a loom. Thus, the cotton fabric is produced.

• This process can be done using either traditional methods (by hand) or through modern techniques ( by machines).

Dyeing

Finally, the cotton fabric is dyed with various colours which can be sewed and be used for making different materials.

Cotton Cultivation 

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Cotton Cultivation in India

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Cotton is a subtropical plant that is grown in all parts of the world including the Americas, Egypt, Africa and India. At present, the total cotton production in the world is nearly 25 million tonnes.

• It accounts for almost 2.5 per cent of the total arable land in the world.
• India is one of the primary producers of cotton in the world.
• It accounts for nearly 26 percent of the total cotton production of the world.

The main cotton producing states of the country are as follows:

Gujarat

Gujarat is the largest producer of cotton in India. In 2017-18, the state accounted for over one-third of the total cotton production in the country.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is the second largest producer of cotton in the country. In 2017-18, it produced nearly 18.7 percent of the total cotton production in India.

Telangana

Telangana is the third largest producer of cotton in the country. In 2017-18, it produced nearly 13 percent of the total cotton production in India.

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is responsible for producing about 5.8 percent of the total cotton production in India.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is responsible for producing about 5.43 percent of the total cotton production in the country.

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh accounts for only 5.36 percent of the total cotton production in the nation.

Haryana

Haryana accounts for only 4.66 percent of the total cotton production in the whole country.

Punjab

Punjab accounts for nearly 3.68 percent of the total cotton production in India.

Karnataka

Karnataka is responsible for producing almost 3.5 percent of the total cotton production in the nation.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu contributes only 1.22 percent of the total cotton production in India.

• Besides these states, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya and Mizoram also produce cotton in small quantities.

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Uses of Cotton

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Cotton is a very important plant as every part of this plant is used for some purpose. The different uses of cotton are as follows:

• Cotton fibres are used to make cotton fabrics which in turn are used to make garments like t-shirts, pants, kurtas, etc.
• They are also used for making curtains, bedsheets, towels, face masks, tea bags, etc.
• Most people prefer cotton fabrics to any other fabrics due to their durability and comfort.
• Cotton is also utilised for the production of plastics as well as rubber.
• Besides the textile industry, cotton also acts as a raw material for several other industries.
• Cotton is used for the manufacture of soaps and cosmetics.
• The cotton seeds can be crushed to get oil, which, in turn, can be used for cooking food.
• It can be used as fodder for feeding cattle as well as other domestic animals.

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Thingsto Remember

• Cotton cultivation is used for making fabrics, cosmetics, plastics, and oil. 
• It is a natural plant fibre that grows in a protective case (boll) around the seeds of the cotton plant. 
• The plant comprises 99 per cent cellulose.
• For successful cotton cultivation, adequate sunshine (21°C – 30°C), moderate rainfall (50 – 75 cm), and black soil are necessary.
• India is one of the chief producers of cotton in the world. 
• Nearly one-third of the total cotton production in India is done by Gujarat.