Characterisation of Cotton-Based Cropping Systems in Côte d’Ivoire: Which Cropping Practices Should Be Improved to Increase Production by Ivorian Cotton Growers?

Abstract

Background : Characterisation of cotton-based cropping systems is essential for understanding and improving cotton production in Côte d’Ivoire. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cropping practices on seed cotton yields. A survey of a network of 600 growers in all the cotton-growing areas was carried out to gather information on the type of soil preparation (manual, harnessed and motorised), the sowing decade, the previous crop, the cotton variety, the sowing density, the date of fertilizer application (NPK and urea), the number of weeding operations, the number of insecticide treatments and, finally, the seedcotton yield. Results : The results showed that during the last cotton season (2023-2024), the sowing decades, crop precedents and a number of insecticide treatments had a highly significant effect on yield. Sowing in the first, second and third decade of June (1 to 10 June, 11 to 20 June and 21 to 30 June respectively). In addition, the best yields were obtained by growers who applied NPKSB base fertilizer and cover fertilizer (urea) within the sowing period at 10 days before sowing (0 - 10 days before sowing) and 45 - 60 days before sowing, respectively. In addition, better yields of close to 2 tons per hectare (1725 kg/ha) were observed among growers who applied a dozen insecticide treatments (eleven more than the six recommended by the research and development services). Conclusion : Further analysis will be carried out, taking into account parameters such as plot size, fertilizer doses (NPK and urea), climatic parameters (rainfall and temperature), agro-ecological zones and the physico-chemical parameters of the growers’ soils. With this in mind, the Ivorian cotton companies will be able to provide farmers with a decision-making tool to help them monitor cultivation operations and improve farm performance.