Nitrogen fertilization and conservation tillage: a review on growth, yield, and greenhouse gas emissions in cotton

Cotton is planted worldwide as a “cash crop” providing us fiber, edible oil, and animal feed as well. In this review, we presented a contemporary synthesis of the existing data regarding the importance of nitrogen application and tillage system on cotton growth and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Cotton growth and development are greatly influenced by nitrogen (N); therefore, proper N application is important in this context. Tillage system also influences cottonseed yield. Conservation tillage shows more promising results as compared to the conventional tillage in the context of cotton growth and GHG emission. Moreover, the research and knowledge gap relating to nitrogen application, tillage and cotton growth and yield, and GHG emission was also highlighted in order to guide the further studies in the future. Although limited data were available regarding N application, tillage and their interactive effects on cotton performance, and GHG emission, we also tried to highlight some key factors which influence them significantly.