Effect of sowing date and inter-row annual legume green-manuring on growth, yield and quality of desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2018 at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to study the effect of sowing date and inter-row annual legume green-manuring on desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum L). The experiment comprised 5 sowing dates, viz. 20 April, 5 May, 20 May, 5 June, 20 June, in main plot and 4 inter-row legume green-manuring, viz. dhaincha [Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) Wight], sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in subplot. The results indicated that, growth parameters, yield attributes and quality parameters were found maximum in desi cotton when sown on 20 April and minimum when sown on 20 June. Amongst inter-row legume green-manuring, sunnhemp resulted in significantly maximum growth, yield and quality parameters. Thus, desi cotton sown on 20 April with inter-row legume green-manuring of sunnhemp was found better for improving the growth, yield and quality.