Name any two major fiber crops and the climatic conditions required for their growth

India is a country in South Asia and is the seventh-largest country by area and second-largest by population. It is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean from three of its sides. The large abundance of natural resources was an additional advantage. It became a prominent place for trade due to the above reasons and the vast coastline. There was a huge market in the European countries for Indian spices and various crops grown in the country. India has always been highly dependent on the agricultural sector. The fertile land in the country helps the production of various crops.  The major fibers grown in India are Jute, Cotton, Coir, Flax, Sun hemp, etc. 

Cotton

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a bowl around the seeds of cotton plants. This cotton fiber is almost completely made of cellulose and it contains small quantities of fats, pectins, waxes, etc. The cotton plant is a shrub native and is mostly grown in subtropical regions like America, Africa, India, and Egypt. Mexico has the largest collection of wild cotton species. The cotton is spun into yarn or thread to make clothes. It is used to make light breathable clothes. The United States of America is the largest exporter of cotton presently.

The cotton plant requires a lot of sunshine, high sunlight, moderate rainfall, and frost-free time. The Soil used for the cultivation of cotton should include heavy nutrients. The soil should be fertile and well drained The appropriate temperature for the growth of cotton is 70° to 100^o F. The average cotton plant can survive temperatures up to 110^o F for short period. The cotton plant requires moderate water for growth but continuous rainfall may damage the plant so a dry climate is preferred. All these conditions are mostly found in subtropical regions. Mostly all the cotton grown today in the world is grown in dry regions with the help of irrigation systems. 

Presently, the United States of America is the largest exporter of cotton. Cotton production is a 21 billion dollar industry in the US market. In the United states the cotton is predominantly grown in 17 southern tiered cotton belt states ranging from Virginia to California. The cotton crop is planted in march and harvested between august and December. Texas is the largest cotton-producing state in the USA and contributes 40 percent of the country’s production.  Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, California, and North Carolina are the largest cotton-producing states in the USA.

Among all the countries India has the largest area under cultivation of cotton which is 36 percent of the total land used for the cultivation of Cotton. 67 percent of the cotton grown in India depends on rainwater for the water requirement and the remaining 33 percent uses water from irrigation systems. Gujarat is the largest cotton-producing state in India followed by Maharashtra and Telangana. During the last year, Gujarat alone produced 95 bales of Cotton. The main cotton production region in Gujarat are Mehsana, Bharuch, Surendranagar, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad. In Maharashtra, the largest cotton-producing regions are Akola, Wardha, Amravati, Yavatamal, and Vidarbha.

Jute

Jute is a long, soft fiber that is spun into coarse, strong threads. Jute is the name of the plant that is used to make these fibers. Jute is a rainy season crop. Jute is one of the most affordable natural fibers only second to cotton. Jute is also called golden fibers due to its color and high cash value. Bangladesh and India are the major exporters of jute in the world. Jute is mostly grown in Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Bangladesh.

The jute plant grows best in plain alluvial soil and standing water. The monsoon climate is the best environment for the growth of Jute. The appropriate temperature for the growth is over 25°. The humidity in the air should be 70 to 90 percent. The rainfall required is 160 to 200 cm. The Appropriate pH range of the soil is 4.8 to 5.8. Soft water is very important for the production of Jute.

Among all the countries India is the leading producer of Jute. It is followed by Bangladesh and China. Bangladesh produces the most jute in the world after India. According to the survey Bangladesh produces 1.6 million tons of cotton in 2019. Bangladesh alone contributes to 33 percent of the total jute production in the world.  Most of the jute produced in Bangladesh is controlled by the government and there are only 25 public mills are owned by the private sector remaining majority are owned and controlled by the government.

Currently, India is the largest producer of jute in the country. In India, is mostly grown in west Bengal, Odisha, Tripura, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh. The jute production Industry is almost 150 years old. The Jute Industry employs more than two lakh people in Bengal alone. The crops are planted in April and Harvested in August.

FAQs on Fibre Crops

Question 1: Write a short note on Cotton.

Answer:

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a pool around the seeds of cotton plants. This cotton fiber is almost completely made of cellulose and it contains small quantities of fats, pectins, waxes, etc. The cotton plant is a shrub native and is mostly grown in subtropical regions like in America, Africa, India and Egypt. Mexico has the largest collection of wild cotton species. The cotton is spun into yarn or thread to make clothes. It is used to make light breathable clothes.

Question 2: What are the conditions required for the healthy growth of cotton?

Answer:

The cotton plant requires a lot of sunshine, high sunlight, moderate rainfall, and frost-free time. The Soil used for the cultivation of cotton should include heavy nutrients. The soil should be fertile and well drained The appropriate temperature for the growth of cotton is 70 to 100o F. The average cotton plant can survive temperatures up to 110^o F for short period. The cotton plant requires moderate water for growth but continuous rainfall may damage the plant so a dry climate is preferred. 

Question 3: Which States are the largest Cotton producers in India?

Answer:

Among all the countries India has the largest area under cultivation if cotton which is 36 percent of the total land used for cultivation of Cotton. 67 percent of the cotton grown in India depends on rain water for the water requirement and remaining 33 percent uses water from irrigation systems. Gujarat is the largest cotton producing state in India followed by Maharashtra and Telangana.  In Maharashtra, the largest cotton-producing regions are Akola, Wardha, Amravati, Yavatamal, and Vidarbha.