The most common situation involving the need for "crust busting" is when cotton is planted into soil conditions that cause the soil surface to crust. This can make it difficult for cotton seedlings to break through the soil surface. Crust busting is generally accomplished by using a rotary hoe set very shallow, or a rolling cultivator.

Many producers wait too long before deciding to break a crust. If a hard crust is evident when the seed sprout is approaching one inch long, the crust must be broken quickly. Since the germination process occurs rapidly, a producer may only have one or two days depending on soil temperature. Otherwise, the seedling will expend too much energy while pushing against the crust trying to emerge. This is evidenced by a swelling of the stem below the cotyledons.