Kharif کپاس

Cotton

The fibre crop that anchors the textile economy.

Season: Kharif
Sowing: Feb – May
Picking: Aug – Nov
Duration: ~180 days

Grown in: Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan. Windows are indicative and shift with district, altitude and season.

Overview

Why cotton matters

Cotton is the principal cash and fibre crop, feeding the textile industry. The core belt runs through southern Punjab and upper Sindh. Whitefly-transmitted leaf curl virus remains the defining production risk.

Hands holding freshly picked cotton bolls

Growing conditions

Climate and soil

Climate

Long, hot growing season with 25–35 °C and abundant sunshine. Rain at boll opening lowers lint quality.

Soil

Deep, well-drained alluvial loam, pH 6.0–8.0. Waterlogging is more damaging to cotton than to most Kharif crops.

Planting & sowing

Sow February to April in Sindh and April to mid-May in Punjab. Seed rate 8 kg per acre for delinted seed. Sow on ridges 75 cm apart with 22–30 cm plant spacing.

Irrigation

Six to eight irrigations. The flowering and boll-development stage is the most sensitive to moisture stress; avoid both stress and standing water.

Fertilisation

Around 60 kg N, 25 kg P₂O₅ and 25 kg K₂O per acre. Split nitrogen across sowing, first flower and peak boll formation. Foliar boron at flowering can improve boll retention.

Harvesting

Hand-pick in three to four rounds from August to November as bolls open fully. Pick dry, keep lots clean and avoid mixing varieties to protect staple length.

Crop protection