Role of Nitrogen in Cotton Production

Nitrogen is an integral component of protein production and is essential for healthy growth of cotton and its physiological development. It is also a key component in chlorophyll production and therefore influences the plant’s ability to produce carbohydrates. The N requirements for boll development are partially met from N stored in the leaf canopy.

Nitrogen encourages vegetative growth and can increase the number of bolls set by increasing nodes and fruiting positions. The weight of lint can be positively influenced by having an adequate supply of nitrogen.

Management of nitrogen is especially important in cotton production. It is recommended to have both pre-plant and sidedress applications, while monitoring nitrogen in-season in order to manage the supply and maximize the efficiency of applied N. It can be detrimental to yield and quality to have too little N in early vegetative growth stages, as well as having excessive N in later reproductive stages.