Nitrogen and plant density effects on growth, yield performance of two different cotton cultivars from different origin

Abstract

Nitrogen application rates and plant density are vital factors that influence cotton production considerably. The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of varied nitrogen (N) rate and planting densities (PD) on growth and yield performance of two cotton cultivars from different origins. The research was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangements. There were two nitrogen levels; low N level (F1 with 120 kg ha−1) and high N level (F2 with 180 kg ha−1) with three plant densities; 8 plants m−2 as low plant density (LPD), 10 plants m−2 as medium plant density (MPD) and 12 plants m−2 as high plant density (HPD). During this study we observed the interactive effect of N application levels and PD on cotton growth, yield performance. Results showed that FH-142 took more number of days to reach maturity as compared with Huamian-3109. Cotton plant dry biomass and crop growth rate (CGR) was also considerably influenced by N and PD levels. FH-142 produced maximum dry biomass under F1 with HPD and F2 with MPD respectively while least plant dry biomass production was noted under F1 with LPD. High CGR was noted in FH-142 under F2 with MPD. Another side, Huamian-3109 showed maximum plant dry biomass only under F1 with HPD. Least plant dry biomass production was noted under F1 with LPD. Higher total yield produced by FH-142 under F2 with MPD while Huamian-3109 produced similar and relatively higher seed cotton yield and lint yield in F1 with HPD and F2 with MPD. These combinations were recommended for better production of both cotton cultivars in agro climatic conditions of Pakistan.