Cotton Crop in India
Cotton is the most important fibre crop produced in India because of the variety of its applications in all fields. Cotton is a Kharif crop that requires approximately 8 months to cultivate. Although in Tamil Nadu, cotton is grown both as a Kharif as well as a rabi crop. In Punjab and Haryana, it is sown in the months of April-May and harvested in the season of December- January. Cotton cultivation has been practiced in India for ages.
Even the Vedic scriptures of India talk about cotton cultivation, cotton spinning, and weaving. India used to dominate the global market due to its flourishing cotton industry but in the 18th century, it was taken over by the British who systematically destroyed the cotton industry in India to fuel the industrial revolution in Europe. Cotton has had a great impact on Indian history and was an iconic statement for the Freedom movement as it figured even on the famous spinning wheel or Charkha of Gandhi Ji.
Types and Uses of Cotton
There are basically four types of commercially grown cotton which are:-
Gossypium hirsutum
Gossypium barbadense
Gossypium arboreum
Gossypium herbaceum
Cotton also has various uses in the industrial and domestic sector such as:
It is very widely used in the textile industry. The use of cotton fabric involves every type of clothing from jackets to normal shirts.
It is also used in the medical field. It is known to be used after birth to remove the placenta.
The Cotton plant is used in menstrual cycle pain and for irregular periods.
Cotton is used in making sanitary pads and diapers.
Levant cotton seeds are also used as food and for oil extraction.
It is used for making bedsheets.
It is used in the manufacture of coffee filters.
Uses of cotton fibres are because of its specific characteristics such as cotton fibres are soft, cool, breathable, very good absorbent etc. few uses of cotton fibres are listed below–
It is widely used in the textile industry. Uses of cotton fabric involves every type of clothing from jackets to normal shirts.
It is largely used in the medical field. It is known to be used after birth to remove placenta.
Cotton plant is used in menstrual cycle pain and for irregular periods.
Cotton is used in making sanitary pads and diapers.
Levant cotton seeds are used as food and for oil extraction.
It is used in making bed sheets.
It is used in coffee filters.
It is used in making highly absorbent cloths for cleaning purposes.
Cotton plants are used to feed cattle.
Cotton fibre is used in making cords and ropes.
It is used in making cord for car tyres, plastic reinforcing.
Cotton seed is used in plastics, explosives, high quality paper, cushions, flat panel television screens.
It is used in computer chip boards as well.
Cotton seed oil is used in margarine, salad dressing, in manufacturing of candles, soaps and detergents, artificial leather etc.
Fibre from stalks is used for pressed paper and cardboard.
Conclusion:
India is one of the largest producers of Cotton and exporters as well. One might find it interesting how cotton is produced. Students can look up this article for everything they need on the topic.
FAQs on Cotton and its Various Uses
Cotton has been an extremely important crop in human history as the cultivation of cotton was an important step in the journey of civilization and it helped us in covering ourselves with clothes and generating a sense of culture. Some scientists claim to find cotton seeds dating back to 450 BC in Peru. In 1929 archaeologists also found cotton threads at Mohenjo-Daro sites. According to some archaeologists, the farmers in the Indus Valley were the 1st to spin and weave cotton.
2. Why is cotton so widely used?
Cotton fibres are very useful due to their soft texture and high absorbent power. It is a natural fibre that is made up of cellulose. The word cotton was taken from the Arabic word “qutn” which means soft. It is also interesting to note that the cotton plants do not produce any waste, which means that all parts of the cotton plant are useful and provide a good return to the farmer.
3. Which are the cotton-growing areas in India?
The Highest cotton-producing state in India is Gujarat. Apart from Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh are the other main producers of cotton. Black clay soil and moderate temperature is perfect for cotton production. For cotton cultivation, the soil is firstly prepared to sow the seeds. Crop rotation is also essential for cotton crops. As the continuous production of cotton causes a lack of certain nutrients in soil along with pest and disease problems. So, the application of N, P, and K along with other nutrients in the soil is important for a good cotton crop.
4. What are the steps involved in the harvesting of cotton?
The harvesting of cotton involves the following 3 steps that are:
Ginning – This is the process of removing seeds from cotton pods and it is called ginning. Ginning can be done by using hands or by machines.
Spinning – This is the process of changing cotton fibre into cotton yarn and it is called spinning. This is done by passing cotton fibres through the carding machine that separates the fibres.
Weaving – This is the process of making fabric by joining two or more two sets of cotton yarn together and it is called weaving.
5. Elaborate on the types of cotton grown in India?
There are four commercially grown species of cotton in India, they are:–
Gossypium hirsutum – This is the most widely planted species of cotton in the world. The cultivation of this species was started in 3500 BC. This is commonly used as cotton fabric.
Gossypium barbadense – This is also known as an extra-long staple of cotton which is further used in the production of cotton that is famous for its long and silky fibres.
Gossypium arboreum – This includes less than 2% of the world’s cotton production. It is commonly known as tree cotton. We find its traces in the Harappan civilization of the Indus Valley.
Gossypium herbaceum – This also includes less than 2% of the cotton production in the world. It is commonly known as Levant cotton. Its main use is in textile.