Impact of different nutrient management strategies on growth, yield components and yield of coloured cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cv. Vaidehi 1

The field experiment was carried out at the Central Farm, AC &RI (Agricultural College and Research Institute), TNAU, Madurai, Tamil Nadu during Kharif season 2024. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of different nutrient management strategies on the growth, yield components and productivity of coloured cotton. The experiment followed a randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments based on nitrogen equivalence, incorporating different organic manures in comparison to inorganic fertilizers, with each treatment replicated three times. The results revealed that growth parameters such as plant height, dry matter production, leaf area index, chlorophyll content, number of monopodial branches plant-1 , days to 50% flowering and days to 50% boll bursting were significantly enhanced by the application of 100% NPK based on site-specific recommendation (T2), which statistically at par with 100% NPK through blanket recommendation (T1). Yield attributes including number of fruiting branches plant-1 , number of fruiting points plant-1 , number of bolls plant-1 , number of bolls m-2 , boll setting percentage and boll weight, along with seed cotton yield, lint cotton yield, stalk yield and biological yield, which also showed a significant increase with the application of 100% NPK through site-specific recommendation (T2). Organic treatments, including the complete organic package (T9), cover cropping with 75% N through vermicompost (T4) and cover cropping with 75% N through poultry manure (T5), exhibited comparable results to inorganic treatments. Future research should focus on optimizing organic nutrient management strategies and integrating cover crops to enhance soil health and ensure sustainable cotton production.

Two experiments were carried out at Sakha Agriculture Research Station, Cotton Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Egypt. The aim of this investigation was to study heterosis and combining ability for the most important traits of cotton (boll weight, seed cotton yield, lint yield, lint percentage, number of bolls per plant and seed index). Eight cotton genotypes 10229 x G.86, G.45, Pima S1, Suven, TNB, CB.58, G. 70 and G. 93 were crossed in half diallel mating design in 2011 season to obtain 28 single crosses. These parents and their respective 28 F1 crosses were evaluated in two planting dates (April and May) in a randomized complete blocks design in 2012 season. The results obtained could be summarized as follows:- 1- Highly significant mean square values were obtained for genotypes, genotypes x dates, parents x dates, crosses x dates for all the studied traits. 2- The best general combiner for most of studied traits was parent (10229 x G. 86). Also the best general combiners for most of studied traits were crosses (10229 x G. 86) x Pima S1, G.45 x G.70, CB.58 x G.70 and CB.58 x G.93 3- The parent (10229 x G. 86) had the best general combining ability for boll weight, seed cotton yield, lint yield and lint percentage under two sowing dates and their combined. 4- The crosses CB.58 x G.93 and G.45 x G.70 showed highly significant desirable specific combining ability for boll weight, seed cotton yield, lint yield and number of bolls per plant at two sowing dates and their combined. 5- Positive heterotic effects relative to the mid-parent were found for most of the traits in the crosses (10229 x G.86) x G.45, G.45 x Suven, G.45 x G.70, TNB x G.70 and C.B 58 x G.93. Also positive heterotic effects relative to the better parent were found for most of the traits in the crosses (10229 x G.86) x TNB, G.45 x Suven and G.45 x G.70 over two planting dates and their combined. 6- Dominance effects were important in the inheritance of boll weight, seed cotton yield and number of bolls per plant traits. The additive gene effects contribute the major portion of gene pool for lint yield, lint percentage and seed index traits. 7- Heritability estimates in narrow sense were low to high for all the studied traits, ranged from 32.17% for seed cotton yield to 91% for boll weight for the combined data. 8- From these results it could be concluded that the crosses CB.58 x G.93 and G.45 x G.70 appeared to be promising for late-planted tolerance therefore could be exploited in breeding program aiming to improve late-planting tolerance.

Diaa AE, Ashraf AA, Hashem MA. 2015. Evaluating Bivariate and Multivariate statistical analysis of yield and agronomic characters in Egyptian cotton. Scientia Agriculturae, 9 (3), 150-164. Retrieved from www.pscipub.com (DOI: 10.15192/PSCP.SA.2015.9.3.150164) Two field experiments were conducted in 2009 and 2010 growing seasons at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Sixteen Egyptian cultivars were evaluated in a balanced lattice design (4 x 4) with five replications for nine traits. The aims were to determine relationships between yield and its components and examine the efficiency of such components in building yield capacity by using six different statistical methods. Highly significant differences were detected among genotypes for all studied traits. Highly significant and positive correlation estimates were detected between seed cotton yield and each of number of fruiting branches per plant, number of opening bolls, lint cotton yield per plant, seed cotton yield per plant, lint cotton yield per plot, seed yield per plot and lint percentage. On the other hand, number of dry bolls per plant showed negative association with seed cotton yield. In multiple linear regressions, the relative contribution for all yield components explained 96% of the total variation in seed cotton yield. The stepwise regression showed that, seed yield per plot, lint cotton yield per plot and number of dry bolls, were the most contributing variables in seed cotton yield per feddan (99% of seed cotton yield variation). Stepwise multiple linear regression proved to be more efficient than the full model regression to determine the predictive equation for seed cotton yield. The criteria used in identifying the best subsets were based on monotone functions of the residual sum of squares (RSS) such as R, adjusted R and Mallow’s Cp. Results revealed the best subset regression model, based on the three different criteria, were the predicted equation for seed cotton yield per fed (Y) was Y = -0.12 – 0.011 x2 – 0.011 x6 + 0.016 x7. The simplified results from best subset regression analysis indicate that the highest coefficient of determination (R=99.9%), adjusted R (99.8%) and lowest Mallows' conceptual predictive (Cp) value (2.0), and has three-independent variables. The factor analysis grouped the studied variables into two groups, which explained 83.4% of the total variability in the dependence structure. The first group contributed 58.9% while, the second group was responsible for 24.5% of the total variability. Cluster analysis reflected the tendency of each group of variables in one cluster to relate closely to each other. Analysis of six statistical procedures revealed that high yield of cotton can possibly be obtained by selecting breeding materials that have high seed yield per plot (x7) and high yield per plot (x6), but have low number of dry polls per plant (x2). © 2014 PSCI Publisher All rights reserved.

Aims: To determine the optimum irrigation schedule and nitrogen level for Bt cotton in alfisols in Southern Telangana.
 Study Design: Split plot design.
 Place and Duration of Study: ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during kharif 2014.
 Methodology: The experiment was laid out with three irrigation schedules (I1- 0.8 IW/CPE, I2 - 0.4 IW/CPE and I3 - Rainfed) as main plots and four nitrogen levels (N1- 0 kg ha-1, N2 - 75 kg ha-1, N3 - 150 kg ha-1 and N4 - 225 kg ha-1) as sub plot treatments replicated thrice. Treatments imposed as per the schedule and data recorded on yield, yield attributes, nitrogen uptake by adopting standard procedures
 Results: Irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE recorded significantly higher plant height (79 cm), drymatter at first picking (195 g plant-1), bolls plant-1 (16), seed cotton yield (1435 kg ha-1), lint yield (541 kg ha-1), stalk yield (2057 kg ha-1) and nitrogen uptake (63 kg ha-1) and was not differed significantly with 0.4 IW/CPE and these were significantly superior to rainfed cotton. Among nitrogen levels, significantly higher plant height (90 cm), drymatter at first picking (214 g plant-1) stage, days to reach boll development (90) stage, bolls plant-1 (15), boll weight (5.3 g), seed index (9.9 g), seed cotton yield (1435 kg ha-1), lint yield (547 kg ha -1) and stalk yield (2214 kg ha -1) were found with application of nitrogen at 225 kg ha-1 was comparable with 150 kg N ha-1 and were significantly superior over lower levels of nitrogen application. The substantial increase in yield and yield attributes might be due to favorable effect on growth attributes like plant height, increased bolls plant-1, drymatter accumulation plant-1 and its subsequent translocation towards sink improved the seed cotton yield.
 Conclusion: It can be concluded that, higher seed cotton yield can be obtained with the irrigation scheduled at 0.4 IW/CPE and application of nitrogen at 150 kg ha-1 in Bt cotton grown in alfisols.

This current study was performed to determine the influences of plant spacing, Nitrogen (N) fertilization rate and their effect, on growth traits, yield, and yield components of cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) cv. Giza 97 during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. A split plot experiment in three replicates was utilized whereas the cotton seeds were planted at 20, 30, and 40 cm, as main plots and nitrogen at 75, 100, and 125%, was in subplots. The results revealed that the planting spacing at 40 cm significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased plant height, number of fruiting branches per plant, number of bolls per plant, boll weight (BW), lint percentage (L%), seed cotton yield (SCY), lint cotton yield (LCY), seed index and lint index by 165.68 cm, 20.92, 23.93, 3.75 g, 42.01%, 4.24 ton/ha, 5.16 ton/ha, 12.05, 7.86, respectively, as average in both seasons. The application of N fertilizer rate at 125% caused a maximum increase in growth and yield parameters i.e., plant height (169.08 cm), number of vegetative branches (2.67), number of fruiting branches per plant (20.82), number bolls per fruiting branch (1.39), number of bolls per plant (23.73), boll weight (4.1 g), lint percent (41.9%), seed index (11.8 g), and lint index (8.2), while the plants treated with 100% N rates exhibited highest seed cotton yield (4.3 ton/ha) and lint cotton yield (5.6 ton/ha), as average in both seasons. Combining plant spacing at 40 cm between plants with a 100% N fertilizer rate recorded the highest lint cotton yield (5.67 ton/ha), while the highest seed cotton yield (4.43 and 4.50 ton/ha) was obtained from 125% N fertilizer rate under planting spacing 20 and 40 cm, respectively. Conclusively, a wide density (40 cm) with 125% N is a promising option for improved biomass, cotton growth, yield, physiological traits, and fiber quality.

When alien DNA inserts into the cotton genome in a multicopy manner, several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in the cotton genome are disrupted; these are called dQTL in this study. A transgenic mutant line is near-isogenic to its recipient, which is divergent for the dQTL from the remaining QTLs. Therefore, a set of data from a transgenic QTL line mutated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (30074), its recipient and their F1 hybrids, and three elite lines were analyzed under a modified additive-dominance model with genotype × environment interactions in three different environments to separate the genetic effects due to dQTL from whole-genome effects. Our result showed that dQTL had significant additive effects on lint percentage, boll weight, and boll number per square meter, while it had little genetic association with fiber traits, seed cotton yield, and lint yield. The dQTL in 30074 significantly increased lint percentage and boll number, while significantly decreasing boll weight, having little effect on fibre traits, while those from the recipient and three elite lines showed significant genetic effects on lint percentage. In addition, the remaining QTL other than dQTL had significant additive effects on seed cotton yield, fruiting branch number, uniformity index, micronaire, and short fibre index, and significant dominance effects on seed cotton yield, lint yield, and boll number per square meter. The additive and dominance effects under homozygous and heterozygous conditions for each line are also predicted in this study.

Tow field experiment, were conducted at El-Serw Agricultural Experiment Station, Damietta Governorate, to study the effect of phosphorus fertilizer levels ( 0, 15, 30 and 45 kg P2O5/fed.), potassium fertilizer levels (0, 24, 48 and 72 Kg K2O/ fed.) and their combinations on cotton plant. Vegetative samples from the first full mature leaf were taken just preflowering to determine N, P and K concentrations. Some yield components (number of open bolls /plant, boll weight, seed plant index and oil with lint percentages) and cotton yield (seed cotton yield, seed yield, lint yield and oil yield) were determined. Obtained results can be summarized as follows: 1- Phosphorus or potassium application increased significantly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentrations in cotton leaves , while combination with each other did not significantly. 2- Number of open bolls/ plant , boll weight , seed index , oil percentage lint percentage ,seed cotton yield, seed yield, lint yield and oil yield were increased significantly by phosphorus or potassium application either alone or in combination with each other in both the two seasons ,while number of open bolls /plant was not affected significantly in the second season. The highest rate of phosphate (45 Kg P2O5 /fed.) and potassium (72 Kg K2O/ fed.) recorded the maximum responses. 3- No significant differences were found between the highest two rates of P and K fertilizer on the above mentioned measurements. 4- Lint and oil percentages were correlated significantly with nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium concentrations. 5- It is concluded that application of (65 Kg N/ fed. + 30 Kg P2O5/fed.+48 Kg K2O/fed.) was the best treatment for cotton grown in salt affected soils in the north of Delta.

A field experiment was conducted during the 2 consecutive kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020 at Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, to study the yield maximization of Bt cotton through agro-techniques in loamy sand. The experiment consisted of four factors viz; spacing, detopping, intercropping and sowing time with two levels in each treatment. The results of pooled data of 2 years indicated that Bt cotton sown at spacing of 60 cm × 45 cm recorded significantly higher plant height, crop growth rate as well as seed cotton (3077 kg/ha) and stalk yields (5930 kg/ha), seed cotton equivalent yield (3512 kg/ha) and oil yield (335 kg/ha). However, wider spacing of 120 cm × 60 cm produced remarkably higher number of sympodial branches per plant, relative growth rate, number of open bolls per plant, weight of seed cotton per boll and seed cotton yield per plant. Topping carried out at 75 DAS remarkably improved growth and yield attributes, seed cotton and stalk yields, seed cotton equivalent yield, oil yield. All growth and yield attributes as well as seed cotton yield were recorded significantly higher without intercrop in Bt cotton. Though intercropping of greengram (additive series) in Bt cotton produced significantly higher seed cotton equivalent yield than no intercropping in pooled mean. Advance sowing of Bt cotton in last week of May produced significantly higher seed cotton yield and seed cotton equivalent S1 T2I2 D1 [Advance sowing (Last week of May)] at plant spacing of 60 cm × 45 cm along with detopping at 75 DAS and intercropping with greengram] gave significantly higher seed cotton equivalent yield as well as net returns and B: C ratio of Bt cotton.

Two field experiments were conducted at Shandaweel Agric. Res. Station (Sohag governorate), Egypt in 2008 and 2009 seasons to study the effect of two population density (43076 and 64615 plants/fed.) through four plant distributions, (10 cm. and 1 plant/hill), (20 cm. and 2 plants/hill), equal 64615 plants/fed. and (15 cm. and 1 plant/hill), (30 cm. and 2 plants/hill) equal 43076 plants/fed. and three levels of nitrogen fertilization (45, 60 and 75 kg N /fed.) on growth, flowering and earliness characters on Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) cultivar (Giza 90). The high population 64615 plants/fed. through plant distribution (10 cm. and 1 plant/hill) increased plant height at all ages as well as at harvest, the first fruiting node, days to first flower appearance in both seasons and days to first open boll appearance in the first season. Meanwhile, the plant distribution (20 cm. and 2 plants/fed. with the same density 64615 plants/fed.) increased days to first open boll appearance in the second season. Increasing plant spacing up to 30 cm. 2 plants/hill (43076 plants/fed.) gave the highest value of number of monopodia and sympodia branches/plant at all ages and at harvest in both seasons, number of green leaves /plant at all ages in 2008 and at 105 age in 2009, dry weight of leaves (gm) at 75, 135and 105 ages in the both seasons, dry weight of reproductive organs/plant at ages 105 and 135 in both seasons, total dry weight/plant at ages 75, 135and 105, 135 in the first and second season, respectively, leaf area per plant at age 135 in the first season, earliness percentage and number of flowers /plant, Shedding percentage of bolls in both seasons and second season respectively. While, 15 cm. 1 plant/hill with the same density gave highly significant increase number of green leaves /plant at age 75 and 135 in the second season, dry weight of leaves at 105 age and 75, 135 ages in the first and second season respectively, dry weight of reproductive organs/plant at age 75 in both seasons, total dry weight/plant at ages 105 and 75 in the first and second season respectively, leaf area per plant at age 75, 105 and at all ages in the first and second seasons respectively and number of flowers /plant, Shedding percentage of bolls in the first season. Application of nitrogen fertilizer up to 75 kg N/fed. significantly increased plant height, number of monopodia and sympodia branches/plant, number of green leaves /plant, dry weight of leaves, dry weight of reproductive organs/plant, total dry weight/plant, leaf area /plant, the first fruiting node, days to first flower and open boll appearance, number of flowers /plant and shedding percentage of bolls in the second season. While, decreasing nitrogen fertilizer up to (45 kg N/fed.) led to significant increase in earliness percentage in both seasons. Interaction between population density and nitrogen fertilizer was insignificant on all attributes studied, except, number of monopodia branches at ages 75 and 105, total dry weight/plant at age 135, the first fruiting node, number of flowers /plant and shedding percentage of bolls in the first season, dry weight of leaves at ages 75 and 105, leaf area /plant at 105 age and earliness percentage in the second season, number of sympodia branches/plant at harvest, number of green leaves per plant at ages 75 and 105 and days to first flower appearance in both seasons. For yield and yield component, increasing plant spacing up to15cm.1 plant/hill or 30cm.2 plants/hill equal(43076 plants/fed.)gave the highest value of number of open bolls and seed cotton yield/plant and boll weight in two seasons and at the first season respectively ,plant spacing at 20cm. between hills and 2 plants/hills(64615 plants/fed.)gave highly significant increase seed cotton yield and lint yield ken./fed. in both seasons and first season respectively, increasing plant spacing between hills (43076 plants/fed.) gave a significant increase in lint percentage in both seasons seed index and oil percentage in the second season .Application of nitrogen fertilizer up to high rate 75 kg n/fed. significantly increased the number of unopen bolls, boll weight, seed cotton yield, seed cotton yield ,lint yield/fed. and seed index. While, deceasing nitrogen fertilizer up to (45 kg N/fed.)led to significant increase in number of open bolls/plant and lint percentage in both seasons. The interaction between population density through plant distribution and nitrogen fertilizer was insignificant on all attributes stud, except, seed cotton yield/plant. The higher yield was obtained from the planting at (20cm. between hills and 2 plant/hill)x75 kg N/fed. in both seasons.

The main objective of the present investigation is to obtain wide genetic variation by using lee it tester analysis involving two seeded testers as male parents, namely, AugUraliall and Karashnelry and four Egyptian cotton culbvars as females (lines) namely Gza80, Giza85, Gza90 and Gia87 (G.barbadense). Eight Ft's, the two tester varieties and the four lone cultivars were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2006 season to evaluate combining abilities and nature of gene action. Genotypes mean squares were highly significant for all traits except for int percentage (L %), lint index (LI) and uniformity index (U.I). Parents mean squares revealed highly significant differences for all studied traits except for lint percentage (L %) and ant index (U). Higher estimates of dominance (02d) variance than additive valance (02A) were recorded and low narrow sense heritability values (h%n.$) and low magnitude of the ratio Q2gCa/Q25ca (less than unity) were found for first fruaing node (FFN), seed cotton yield (KY), lint yield (LY), lint percentage (1%), seed index (SI), lint index (U), micronalr value (Nie), plessly index (PI) and Upper half mean (U.H.M). On the other hand days of first flower (DFF), boll weight (8W) and uniformity index (U.I) recorded lion estimates of additNe variance (02A) and narrow sense heritability (h%n.$). For the testers, Australian and Karashneky varieties were good combiners for first fruiting node (FFN), days of first flower (OFF), seed cotton yield (SCY), lint yield (LY) and uniformity index (VI). Among female parents the variety Giza85 was the best combiner for days of fist flower (OFF), seed cotton yield (SCY), lint yield (LY), seed index (SI) and uniformity index (MI). Giza87 was the best general combiners for fiber traits. Gza90 was the best general combiner for boa weight (avo, seed index (SI) and uniformity index (U.I). Gza80 was the best combiner for first fruiting node (FIN), days of first flower (OFF), boll weight (BW), seed talon yield (SCY), ant yield (LY), micron* value (Mic) and con* index (F1). It oduld be concluded that (tie hybrid (Australian it Giza85) and (Karashneky it Gza85) may be used for the improvement of seed cotton yield (SCY), lint yield (LT), seed Index (SI) and Upper half mean (URA), while (Australian it Gza80) and (Karashneky x Gza80) hybrids were the best for the Improvement of seed cotton yield (SCY), lint yield (1Y) and pressty Index (PI).

Comparative studies for thirty eight genotypes descending from twenty one crosses and the two check varieties Giza 90 and Giza 80 were included in Trial A at Seds Agricultural Experimental Station in 2012 season, eighteen genotypes descending from sixteen crosses and the two check varieties Giza 90 and Giza 80 were grown in Trial B at five locations in Middle and Upper Egypt in the same season. The results obtained from Trial A showed that the strains H5118/2011 and H5124/2011 of the cross (G 83 Rad. x Aust.) x G 91, H5128/2011 and H5129/2011 cross [(G 80 x Aust) x G 83], H5150/2011 cross (G 83rad x Kar) x [(G 83 x G 80) x G 89], H6198/2011 cross[[(G 83 x G 80) x G 89] x (G 83 x Delta Pine)]], H7215/2011 cross [(G 83 x G 80) x G 89] x Aust, H8238/2011 cross (Dand. Rad x Karsh), H9244/2011cross [G 90 x Pima S62 (24240)], H9253/2011 cross [G 91 x Pima S62 (24240)], H10268/2011 [G 83 x (G 72 x Dand.) x G 91], H11281/2011[G 83 x (G 72 x Dand.) x G 85] and Breeder1 of the promising cross [G 83 x (G 72 x 5844)] x G 80] recorded significant higher seed cotton yield (SCY) and lint cotton yield (LY) compared with the check varieties Giza 90 and Giza 80. While the crosses [(G 85 x G 83) x G 90], [(G 83 x G 80) x G 89] x Aust, C.B 58 x G 90, H8249/2010 descending from the crosses G 91 x Pima S62 (24202), [G 83 x (G 75 x 5844) x G 91], [(G 83 x G 72) x Dand] x G 85 respectively and breeder2 of the promising cross (Giza90 x Aus) had higher seed and lint cotton yield (SCY and LY) compared with the check varities Giza 90 and Giza 80 in Trial B. The mean squares of the genotypes in Trial A were highly significant for all yield components traits. Combined mean squares results in Trial B of the genotypes (G) were highly significant and significant for all yield traits except for lint index (LI). Environments (E) mean squares were highly significant for all studied yield traits. Genotypes-environments interactions (G x E) mean squares were highly significant for all yield traits except for lint percentage (L%) which showed significant combined mean squares, indicating change in performance of genotypes from one location to another. In other words, the rank of a genotype differed from one location to another. High heritability estimates in broad sense (h.b.s %) were computed for all yield traits in Trial A, indicated that the environment had slightly influence on these traits. Broad sense heritability estimates (h.b.s %) for yield traits in Trial B were low for seed cotton yield (SCY), lint yield (LY) and boll weight (BW), indicated that the environmental factors had effect on these traits. On the other hand, lint percentage (L %), seed index (SI) and lint index (LI) recorded high heritability estimates in broad sense (h.b.s %) (more than 50%), indicating that environment had considerable effect on these traits.. The G.C.V % values ranged from 2.54% for lint index (LI) to 61.65% for lint yield (LY) in Trial A and ranged from 3.98% for lint percentage (L %) to 50.0% for lint yield (LY) in Trial B. These values indicated variable environmental effects on all studied traits.

The present investigation was carried out to study the impact of nutrients and PGRs (Plant Growth Regulators) on morphological, physiological and yield attributes of the cotton crop. The statistical design used for the study was Factorial Completely Randomized Design (FCRD) with four replications. The pot culture experiment was conducted in the Glass house, Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) during February 2023 – June 2023. The study was carried out using two cotton varieties (CO 17 and MCU 5) with the treatments containing 1% foliar spray of Nutrio-hormonal consortia Ⅰ, Nutrio-hormonal consortia Ⅱ, Cotton Booster Ⅰ, Cotton Booster Ⅱ and control. The treatments were imposed during flowering and boll development stages. The morphological, physiological and yield attributes viz., plant height (in cm), chlorophyll index, total dry matter production (g/plant), number of sympodial branches per plant, number of bolls per plant, boll weight (g/boll) and seed cotton yield (g/plant) were recorded. Foliar application of the Cotton booster Ⅱ resulted in significant increase in the plant height (58.35 cm), total dry matter production (38.65 g/plant), number of sympodial branches per plant (17.8), number of bolls per plant (15.60), boll weight (3.88 g/boll) and seed cotton yield (42.79 g/plant) followed by Cotton booster Ⅰ in CO 17 variety. Similarly, in MCU 5 cotton variety, significant difference was observed in plant height (69.37 cm), total dry matter production (45.60 g/plant), number of sympodial branches per plant (19.6), number of bolls per plant (20.0), boll weight(4.39 g/boll) and seed cotton yield (48.77 g/plant). In conclusion, foliar application of 1% Cotton Booster Ⅱ exhibited better growth and yield attributes in cotton.

Despite the significance of arboreum cotton in rainfed regions, limited research exists on optimizing its plant geometry and nutrient management specific to newer genotypes. Most studies focus on hirsutum varieties, creating a gap in genotype-specific agronomic recommendations for arboreum cotton under varied plant densities and fertilizer regimes. The present investigation was conducted to optimize the planting density and fertilizer dose for enhancing the growth and yield of arboreum cotton under a split plot design with three replications. The study comprised three arboreum genotypes NDLA-3116-3 (V1 ), AKA-2013-8 (V2 ) and PA873 (V3 ) tested under three plant spacings: 60 × 10 cm (S1 ), 60 × 15 cm (S2 ), and 60 × 30 cm (S3 ). In sub-plots, three fertilizer levels i.e (N1 ) 75% RDF (30:20:20 NPK kg ha-1), (N2 ) 100% RDF (40:20:20 NPK kg ha-1) and (N3 ) 125% RDF (50:20:20 NPK kg ha-1) were applied to assess nutrient responses. The results indicated that, among genotypes, AKA 2013-8 (V2 ) performed superiorly in terms of growth, yield and yield attributes, also significantly superior in term of economics. Among spacing (S3 ) 90×30 cm observed significantly superior in term of growth, yield attributes and yield plant-1, but Seed Cotton Yield, lint yield, stalk yield and economics which is significantly superior in spacing (S1 ) 60×10 cm. Fertilizer level N3 (125% RDF) was found to be most effective in term of better plant growth, boll development, and seed cotton yield and economics. Overall, the genotype (AKA 2013-8), spacing of 60 × 30 cm (S3 ) and 125% RDF (N3 ) emerged as the most promising treatment for maximizing productivity in arboreum cotton under the given agro-climatic conditions. These findings offer practical guidance for refining agronomic practices in cotton cultivation, particularly for arboreum genotypes, thereby supporting sustainable intensification and improved nutrient use efficiency.

A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2012 and 2014 at C. S. Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur to study the effect of different uses of herbicides on growth and yield attributes and seed cotton yield in hirsutum cotton. Data indicated that application of pendimethalin @ 1 kg a. i./ha as PE+quizalofopethyl @ 50 g a. i./ha 30 DAS+one hoeing 50 DAS and weed free plot improved significantly all the growth and yield attributing characters over weedy check. Weed free check plot produced significantly highest seed cotton yield (1311 kg/ha) and lint yield (442 kg/ha) than weedy check. Herbicidal application of pendimethalin @ 1 kg a. i./ha as PE+Quizalofopethyl @ 50 g a. i./ha 30 DAS+one hoeing 50 DAS was found next best treatment of producing significantly higher seed cotton yield (1157 kg/ha) and lint yield (357 kg/ha) than weedy check (514 kg/ha) and (174 kg/ha) seed cotton yield and lint yield, respectively. Lowest dry weight (3.98 g/m2) of weeds was recorded with direct spray of glyphosate 45% SL @ 1 kg a. i./ha. Higher weed control efficiency (83.3%) was recorded with direct spray of glyphosate 45% SL @ 1 kg a. i./ha followed by pendimethalin @ 1 kg a. i./ha as PE+quizalofopethyl @ 50 g a. i./ha 30 DAS+one hoeing 50 DAS (63.5%). Highest net returns (Rs. 19824/ha) and B: C ratio (1.56) were obtained with herbicidal application of pendimethalin @ 1 kg a. i./ha as PE+quizalofopethyl @ 50 g a. i./ha 30 DAS+one hoeing 50 DAS.

Determination of genetic effects for lint yield and yield components in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm is critical for its utilization in breeding programs. This study was designed to apply the conditional approach and an additive and dominant model to analyze genetic effects for lint yield and yield components. Forty-eight F2 populations derived from crosses between four existent Upland cotton cultivars as female parents and 12 germplasm lines as male parents were evaluated at two locations in 2008 and 2009. Conditional and unconditional variance components were estimated by the mixed linear model based conditional approach. Lint yield and yield components were mainly controlled by genotypic effects, i.e., additive variance and dominance variance (≥66 % of total phenotypic variation). Lint percentage and lint index had the highest proportions of additive variance component to the total phenotypic variances. SP156 and SP205 had positive additive effects for lint yield and yield components, and were also parents of the most hybrids with positive predicted dominant effects. Therefore, these two lines are good combiners for development of both pure lines and hybrids. Positive additive contribution effects to lint yield from lint percentage, boll number, boll weight, and seed index were detected in different parents. Adding seed index to boll number and lint percentage increased additive contribution effects to lint yield from these two components relative to the contribution effects from either boll number or lint percentage alone. Results in this study suggest that boll number, lint percentage, and seed index should be balanced in pure line development.