PLANTING DATE
Description: Planting date management is a very important step and the optimal planting date would help achieve early fruit set, establish strong fruit retention, and make the most of the primary fruiting cycle. Achieving earliness in a cotton crop is also important for insect management considerations, and to minimize exposure of the primary fruiting cycle to the hot, humid monsoon weather which increases fruit loss and abortion.
Benefits: Selection of planting date has a profound impact on crop yield.
SEED SELECTION
Description: Seed selection is a very important step in cultivation and crop varieties are developed to be more drought tolerant, resistant to water logging, tolerant to salinity, resistant to pests, etc.
Benefits: A suitable crop variety can impact the overall water footprint in multiple ways such as reducing transpiration without lowering the yield and stabilising the yield despite adverse conditions that can lead to reduction in crop yield.
CROP ROTATION
Description: Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of dissimilar or different types of crops in the same area in sequenced seasons. As a general guidance an annual rotation of crops with different root systems is recommended.
Benefits: Crop rotation reduces soil erosion, increases soil fertility, helps pests control and improves crop yield. It is a good practice that can either reduce, or at least maintain the current level of the grey water footprint of crop production because of reduced application of pesticides.
INTERCROPPING
Description: Intercropping is a practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land. Types of intercropping are, in general: mixed intercropping, row intercropping, strip intercropping, and relay intercropping.
Benefits: As an alternative to monoculture, intercropping can improve soil moisture retention and reduce unproductive evaporation due to increased soil cover resulting in water footprint reduction. It provides crop residue (green manure) that can be incorporated into the soil to improve soil nutrients and build a favourable soil structure. It may reduce pesticide use due to suppressing weeds and controlling pests. If Nitrogen-fixing plants are used, less fertilisers will be needed.
