Cottonseed Production Technology

In cottonseed production, the cottonseed quality could be both affected at pre-harvest and post-harvest operations playing major roles; respectively in the field and laboratory cottonseed quality standards. The pre-harvest operations all related to the production practices and weather conditions. While, the post-harvest operations that affect cottonseed quality include harvesting, processing, and storage conditions. Performance of different methods of cottonseed processing with accuracy and efficiency will enhance the performance of cotton seed crop in the field. Before planting, the process of making high-quality cottonseeds begins in the field. Field selection is important from several standpoints and majorly could be categorized as a specific and general field requirement. Cotton yield and fibre quality are to a great extent determined by air temperature, soil moisture, and soil fertility conditions during the growing season. Cotton harvesting begins about six months after planting and is the most expensive operation of cotton cultivation. Cotton could either be handpicked or harvested mechanically by using either spindle cotton pickers or stripper cotton harvesters. After harvesting the cotton product should be carefully handled, for maintaining the produced cottonseed quality through major post-harvest handling activities of seed cotton ginning, cottonseed delinting, cottonseed treatments, and proper cottonseed storage. It is also important for growers to plant high quality cotton seed crop varieties adapted to their farm situations, management styles, and intended market uses. Cotton seed crop growers or producers must be aware of that the classes of cotton seed crop grown or produced fulfill the following national minimum quality field and laboratory standards for conventional and hybrid cotton seed crop varieties being produced, as to legally marketing or distribute the cottonseed to the consumers.