Cotton pant

 

The cotton plant, scientifically known as Gossypium, is a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions, cultivated for its soft, fibrous bolls that form the basis of cotton cloth. Belonging to the Malvaceae family, it includes about 50 species, with four primary domesticated types: Gossypium hirsutum (upland cotton, accounting for ~90% of global production), G. barbadense (Pima or Egyptian cotton), G. arboreum, and G. herbaceum. The plant grows 1-2 meters tall, with broad, lobed leaves, yellow or white flowers, and bolls that burst open at maturity to reveal fluffy white fibers surrounding seeds. These fibers, composed of nearly pure cellulose, are harvested, ginned to remove seeds, and processed into textiles. Cotton thrives in warm climates with well-drained soil and 6-7 months of sunlight, with major producers including India, China, and the United States. However, its cultivation is resource-intensive, requiring significant water (about 10,000 liters per kg of cotton) and often pesticides, though organic methods are increasing.

Cotton plants are annual or perennial, depending on the species and climate, with a growth cycle involving germination, vegetative growth, flowering, and boll development. After planting, seeds germinate in 5-10 days, and bolls mature in 50-80 days, influenced by factors like temperature and irrigation. The fiber quality depends on staple length—long-staple varieties like G. barbadense produce finer, stronger threads, ideal for premium fabrics. Beyond textiles, cotton seeds yield oil for food and industrial uses, and the remaining seed cake feeds livestock. Environmental challenges include soil depletion and pesticide runoff, prompting sustainable practices like crop rotation, drip irrigation, and genetically modified (GM) varieties like Bt cotton, which resist pests. Despite these advances, organic cotton, grown without synthetic chemicals, accounts for less than 1% of production due to higher costs. The plant’s economic and cultural significance endures, balancing traditional farming with innovations to meet global textile demand.