Relationship of tissue potassium content with yield and fiber quality components of Bt cotton as influenced by potassium application methods.

The field investigation entitled “Response of hirsutum cotton to high density planting and nutrient management under rainfed condition” was conducted at experimental farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Parbhani. The experimental field was leveled and well drained. The soil was clayey in texture, low in nitrogen, medium in phosphorus and high in potassium and alkaline in reaction. The environmental conditions prevailed during experimental period was favorable for normal growth and maturity of hirsutum cotton. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three main plot treatments of plant density viz., S11,66,666 plants ha (60 x 10 cm), S21,11,111 plants ha (60 x 15 cm), S355,555 plants ha (60 x 30 cm) and four sub plot treatments of nutrient management viz., F1 – 100 % RDF, F2 – 150 % RDF, F3 – 100 % RDF + foliar spraying of 2% MgSO4 and 1 % ZnSO4 twice during flowering to boll development stage, F4 – 150 % RDF + foliar spraying of 2% MgSO4 and 1 % ZnSO4 twice during flowering to boll development stage. All the treatments were replicated three times. Sowing was done on 27 June, 2016 by dibbling the seeds. The recommended cultural practices and plant protection measures were undertaken. The crop was harvested on 2 Jan. 2017. The plant density of 55,555 plants ha (60 x 30 cm) recorded significantly higher number of functional leaves, leaf area, monopodial and sympodial branches, dry matter, root length, picked boll and seed cotton yield plant as compared to plant density of 1,11,111 plants ha (60 x 15 cm) and 1,66,666 plants ha (60 x 10 cm). The maximum plant height was observed with plant density of 1,66,666 plants ha (60 x 10 cm). The seed cotton yield, straw yield (kg ha), net monetary returns (Rs ha) and B:C ratio were recorded significantly higher with plant density of 1,66,666 plants ha -1 and followed by 1,11,111 plants ha as compared to 55,555 plants ha. Significantly higher nutrient uptake was recorded with higher plant density of 1,66,666 plants ha as compared to lower plant densities. The plant densities did not evident significant impact on quality parameters viz., ginning percentage, earliness index, seed index, 2.5 % span length, uniformity ratio, fibre fineness and bundle strength. All the growth parameters, yield attributing characters, seed cotton yield (kg ha), cotton stalk yield (kg ha), net monetary returns (Rs ha), gross monetary returns (Rs ha) and B:C ratio as well as nutrient uptake were found significantly higher with the application of 150 % RDF + foliar spraying of 2% MgSO4 and 1 % ZnSO4 twice during flowering to boll development stage (F4) as compared to all other treatments but followed by application of 150 % RDF (F2). Nutrient management treatments did not evident significant impact on quality parameters. On the basis of above findings it can be concluded that the adoption of higher plant density of 1,11,111 plants ha (60 x 15 cm) and application of 150 % RDF + foliar spraying of 2% MgSO4 and 1 % ZnSO4 twice during flowering to boll development stage, for obtaining higher seed cotton yield of hirsutum cotton (NH615) and found productive, remunerative and profitable under rainfed condition of Marathwada region.

Response of hirsutum cotton to high density planting and nutrient management under rainfed condition

Breeding efforts were made to improve the naturally coloured Gossypium.hirsutum cotton genotypes with respect to yield and fibre quality through intraspecific, interspecific and three way crosses between coloured and superior white genotypes followed by selections independently in three populations. Stable genotypes with uniform colour and high yield potential and improved fibre qualities were developed. Eight of the 32 advanced coloured genotypes in three populations tested under three replicated trials were superior to white linted check, Sahana (2138 kg/ha) for seed cotton yield. Three of these, dark brown (DDB 12 with 2986 kg/ha, medium brown (DMB 225 with 2934 kg/ha) and green (DGC 78 with 1381 kg/ha) were potential for seed cotton yield and quality in the respective colour. The genotype DDB 12 had 21.6 mm fibre length and 18.6 g/ tex strength; DMB 225(medium brown), had 22.9mm and 20.4 g/tex while green linted DCG 78 had 25.8mm and 22.2g/tex, span length and strength, respectively. These genotypes performed better consistently over three years of testing for yield and fibre quality. Yarn and fabrics were manufactured which were suitable for mill spinning and eco fabrics of commercially acceptable range could be produced. The simultaneous development of medium, dark brown and green shades along with white cotton will help in the creation of variability in the textile industry. Efforts need to be done to further improve the fibre properties which are being done using the stable colour cotton lines developed in the present study for crossing with superior white cultivars for introgression and selection. Biotechnological approaches have been initiated to diversify the lint colour.

Genetic improvement and registration of naturally coloured Gossypium hirsutum cotton genotypes suitable for textile industry.

Two field experiments were conducted at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture at Fayoum, Egypt, to study the effect of soil and foliar applications of potassium in the form of potassium sulphate. The treated cotton plants with potassium soil application and with foliar spray improved all the studied growth traits, that is, number of leaf per plant, the total leaf area per plant (dm-2) and the dry weight of leaf per plant (g). The best results were found when cotton plants were treated with soil application plus K foliar spray twice, each at early boll formation and peak boll formation stage as compared to the control treatment. Moreover, this treatment also produced significantly higher yield with improved growth and fiber traits. The interaction between varieties and potassium fertilizer treatments had a significant effect on growth, cotton yield and fiber quality, whereas the Giza-90 variety x soil and foliar application (2 times) of potassium out of the interactions proved to have the best results.

	 

	Key words: Cotton varieties, foliar potassium application, fiber quality, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium (NPK).

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Influence of soil and foliar applications of potassium fertilization on growth, yield and fiber quality traits in two Gossypium barbadense L. varieties

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Jagdish Kumar

Papers

Effect of foliar application of KNO3 on growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of hirsutum cotton.

Effect of different spacing and potassium levels on yield attributes, yield and economics of hirsutum cotton.

Effect of foliar application of nutrients on seed cotton yield and economics in hirsutum cotton.

Effect of different nutrients on growth, yield attributes and yield of cotton under varying cotton cultivars.