Follow water harvesting techniques. Start land preparation immediately after the harvest of the previous crop, and adopt a permanent broad ridges system. Spread 12.5 t of FYM, compost or composted coir pith, or 2.5 t of vermicompost per hectare uniformly on the unploughed soil, and incorporate it with a multipurpose implement or country plough.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Rainfed cotton – Preparation of land, p. 268
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Spacing and intercropping with pulses (rainfed)
For a pure crop of varieties or hybrids under rainfed conditions, a spacing of 45 cm between rows and 15 cm between plants may be adopted. When intercropped with pulses, alternate one paired row of cotton with two rows of pulses, keeping the total cotton population the same as a pure crop; space the pulse crop at 30 x 10 cm.
Cotton and pulses can be sown at a depth of 5 cm in black cotton soil even before the monsoon rains (dry bed sowing). If only light rain falls, moisture will not reach the seed, and the seeds will not germinate and may die. Only good rains give enough moisture at seed depth for germination and proper establishment.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Rainfed cotton – Sowing (note), p. 270
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Gap filling and thinning
Dibble 3–4 seeds in each gap if there is sufficient moisture. Allow two seedlings per hole and thin out on the 15th day of sowing, keeping proper spacing between plants.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Rainfed cotton – Gap filling & thinning, p. 271
