**5.1 Land preparation**

To guarantee uniform planting depth, cotton needs a surface of soil with a very fine tilth and a smooth texture [30]. To achieve a sufficient plant stand, several field operations are required. A deep soil is necessary for healthy root growth since cotton is a crop with deep roots [31]. Land needs to be clear of clods and stubble. Cotton should be deep-plowed at least four times, followed by two planks to make the soil fine, loose, and level in order to get the best possible germination and development [32]. When Pakistani cotton farmers use a tractor to plow their fields, the earth is torn up to 15 cm deep [33]. In comparison to compacted soil, root hairs often functioned better in uncompacted soil. Due to compacted soil's decreased ability to absorb vital nutrients and water, root development slows down, and root hair function is poor [34]. After rigorous plowing, cotton is successfully sown on ridges [35].

## **5.2 Fertilization**

The amount of fertilizer needed for cotton varies on the soil type, weather, and variety of the crop [36]. For various types of soil, there are different needs. According to a countrywide soil investigation, deficiencies of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and rarely potassium (K) have been noted [37]. It is advised to apply 200 kilograms N, 145 kg P, and 95 kg K per ha to poor soils. N and K dosages for medium and rich soils are the same, while P requirements are 114 and 87 kg/ha, respectively [38]. Due to their early fruiting habits, current early cotton cultivars respond well to the use of N fertilizers. In earlier investigations, cotton cultivars were shown to respond favorably to N and P fertilizers [39].

Taller varieties need less N because of their strong root systems. According to soil testing results, farmers must apply zinc (Zn) and boron (B) at rates of 12 and 9 kg/ha, respectively, in the majority of Pakistan's cotton-growing regions [40]. When sowing, a baseline dosage of the major nutrients like P and K as well as the minor nutrients like Zn and B should be applied [41]. N should be applied in accordance with the crop's requirements and the local climate at the time [42]. In this study, 30 kgN per hectare should be administered once a week for 3 weeks straight in the situation that leaf curl virus symptoms develop [43].
