---
title: "Cotton Definition and Overview | Model Diplomat"
description: "Cotton is a kharif fibre crop from the Gossypium plant, essential for agriculture and textiles, especially in India and globally."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/cotton"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Cotton is a kharif fibre crop grown on the seed hairs of the Gossypium plant, requiring frost-free days, 21–30°C temperatures, and moderate rainfall on black regur soils.
- Why is cotton associated with black regur soil?
- What is Bt cotton and when was it approved in India?
- Which is India's largest cotton-producing state?
- What climatic conditions does cotton require?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Cotton is a kharif fibre crop grown on the seed hairs of the Gossypium plant, requiring frost-free days, 21–30°C temperatures, and moderate rainfall on black regur soils.

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In 2002 India's Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee approved Mahyco-Monsanto's Bt cotton for commercial cultivation, making it the country's first and only commercially grown GM crop, now covering over 90% of cotton acreage.

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