Planting time has direct effect on the crop development, maturity, and yield of cotton especially in the core regions of Pakistan. Planting time will also impact the insect control, CLCV management, and seedling disease management. For example, too early planting can promote seedling diseases while late planting can promote CLCV. Late planting will reduce harvest yield significantly.

Regardless of forecasted conditions, check your local Extension resources to determine the optimal planting window for your region.

Avoid planting cotton if the low temperature is predicted to be below 15°C for either of the two nights following planting or predicted daily DD’s 60 (15.6°C) is near zero for the day of planting.

(Maximum Daily Air Temp + Minimum Daily Air Temp) Degree-days/2 = – Base Temp (15.6°C)

where: Maximum Daily Air Temp is capped at crop's Upper Temperature Threshold.

Planting time: It is essential that minimum soil temperature for good germination of seed should be minimum 20°C. It is recommended to avoided cotton seed early if the temperatures are less than 15 C for continuous 2-3 days.

Early sowing: (Early April to Early May) (virus attack decreases because early crop establishment before onset of hot season) BT cotton varieties are sown earlier to minimize CLCV infestation

Medium sowing: (April)

Late sowing: (1-15 May)

Desi cotton 15-30 April

Seeding Rate and plant Population

¹ Examples of planting methods are: hand and mechanical.

² Seed rate calculation is for delinted seed >75% germination rate. Adjust the seeding rate based on planting method, germination rate (see following table), and planting time.

Seeding rate must be adjusted according to the germination rate on seed label as follows:

Seeding rate according to germination %age

http://www.ccri.gov.pk/agronomy.html