Exploring the Key Role of Herbicides in Revitalizing Cotton Production

Rajavelu N.K. is the CEO of Crop Protection Business at Godrej Agrovet, bringing over 25 years of strategic leadership in diverse roles. With a robust background in sales, strategic planning, and new product introduction, he excels in business development, brand management, and P&L responsibility. Rajavelu has driven profitable growth throughout his career, notably at Dow AgroSciences, where he led both domestic and international businesses. He holds an MBA from Northwood University and a Master’s in Seed Science and Technology from Tamil Nadu Agriculture University. Passionate about mentoring and industry contributions, he enjoys global travel and fostering high-performing teams.

Cotton is one of the most significant commercial crops in India. The country is also globally significant in the cotton stakes, accounting for roughly a quarter of the world’s production. India’s cotton industry is not only a cornerstone of its agricultural economy but also a vital source of livelihood for millions. Approximately six million farmers are directly dependent on cotton cultivation, while an additional 40-50 million people are employed in various capacities within the cotton trade. Despite this, India's cotton production has hit a 15-year low, highlighting the urgent need to boost productivity and ensure the crop's sustainability.

Challenges in Cotton Cultivation

Given the critical role of cotton in the livelihoods of so many and its importance to the economy, enhancing cotton yields is imperative. Among the various challenges that cotton growers face, weed infestation stands out as one of the most significant threats.

Cotton, being a slow-growing crop, is planted in widely spaced rows to allow room for it to spread. However, this spacing also provides an opportunity for various weeds to thrive. These weeds compete with cotton for essential resources such as nutrients, moisture, light, and space. In severe cases, weed infestation can reduce cotton yields by nearly 75 percent.

A Solution to Weed Infestation

Herbicides offer an effective solution to the problem of weed infestation, playing a crucial role at different stages of the cotton crop cycle. The first 60 days of the cotton crop cycle are the most critical for crop-weed competition. To prevent weeds from taking hold during this stage, herbicides need to be applied as early as seven days before sowing.

Pre-emergence herbicides, which are applied before the weeds emerge, control weeds right from the beginning of their germination, proving more efficient than many other weed control methods. Post-emergence herbicides are usually applied as direct sprays and are used to control weeds that grow in the inter-rows of the crops.

These herbicides supplement the pre-emergence application by targeting weeds that appear after the cotton plants have started growing.

Benefits of Herbicide Application

The application of herbicides has numerous benefits that can significantly enhance cotton productivity. Herbicides effectively control weeds, minimizing competition for water, nutrients, and sunlight. This leads to healthier crops and potentially significant yield improvements. Herbicides also eliminate the need for manual weeding, which is a highly labor-intensive and time-consuming task. This frees up valuable time and resources for farmers to focus on other crucial activities like planting, harvesting, and crop maintenance.

The reduced reliance on manual labor can potentially improve farm profitability, especially for small and marginal farmers who often struggle with labor shortages and high labor costs.

Addressing Concerns Surrounding Herbicide Use

While herbicides offer significant benefits, their overuse can lead to herbicide resistance. When weeds develop resistance to herbicides these chemicals become ineffective, leaving farmers with limited options.

They may then resort to using alternative methods or increasing the quantities of herbicides, leading to soil degradation and environmental contamination. Herbicide runoff from fields can contaminate water sources, harm aquatic ecosystems, and potentially affect human health. Additionally, herbicides can harm non-target plants and animals, including beneficial insects and pollinators.

Judicious Use of Herbicides

To mitigate these concerns, herbicides must be used judiciously. Thanks to advancements in technology and precision agriculture, it is now possible to use these chemical agents in a safe and responsible manner.

Precision agriculture, facilitated by sensor-based IoT devices coupled with AI and ML algorithms, provides farmers with invaluable insights into crop and soil conditions. By offering real-time data on optimal timing, quantity, and nature of interventions, such as crop protection products and nutritional supplements, technology enables farmers to maximize productivity while minimizing resource utilization.

This includes determining the type, amount, and timing of herbicide applications. While weeds pose a significant threat to cotton yields, the judicious use of herbicides can play a crucial role in mitigating this issue. By integrating precision agriculture techniques, farmers can enhance productivity and ensure sustainable farming practices.

By using herbicides responsibly, we can help secure the future of cotton farming, supporting millions of livelihoods and contributing to the nation's agricultural success.