Abstract
Boron (B) is required during all growth stages of cotton crop, especially during boll formation. However, Typic Haplocambid soils of cotton growing belt in Pakistan are B-deficient, which results in low yield and economic returns. Foliar application of B improves cotton productivity; however, information is limited on the role of soil applied B in improving cotton growth and yield. The current study investigated the role of soil applied B in improving growth, yield and fiber quality of cotton crop. Five different B doses (i.e., 0.00, 2.60, 5.52, 7.78 and 10.04 mg kg-1 of soil) and two cotton cultivars (i.e., CIM-600 and CIM-616) were included in the study. Soil applied B (2.60 mg kg-1) significantly improved growth, yield, physiological parameters and fiber quality, while 10.04 mg kg-1 application improved B distribution in roots, seeds, leaves and stalks. Significant improvement was noted in plant height (12%), leaf area (3%), number of bolls (48%), boll size (59%), boll weight (52%), seed cotton yield (52%), photosynthesis (50%), transpiration rate (10%), stomatal conductance (37%) and water use efficiency (44%) of CIM-600 with 2.60 mg kg-1 compared to control treatment of CIM-616. Similarly, B accumulation in roots, seeds, leaves and stalk of CIM-600 was improved by 76, 41, 86 and 70%, respectively compared to control treatment. The application of 2.60 mg kg-1 significantly improved ginning out turn (6%), staple length (3.5%), fiber fineness (17%) and fiber strength (5%) than no B application. The results indicated that cultivar CIM-600 had higher ginning out turn (1.5%), staple length (5.4%), fiber fineness (15.5%) and fiber strength (1.8%) than CIM-616. In crux, 2.60 mg kg-1 soil B application improved growth, yield, physiological and fiber quality traits of cotton cultivar CIM-600. Therefore, cultivar CIM-600 and 2.60 mg kg-1 soil B application is recommended for higher yield and productivity.
Highlights
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a cash crop, globally cultivated for its good quality fiber and oil under a wide range of environmental conditions
Cultivar CIM-600 and 2.60 mg kg-1 soil B application is recommended for higher yield and productivity
The cultivar CIM-600 with 2.6 mg kg-1 B had higher leaf area than CIM-616 grown with different B doses (Table 2)
Summary
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a cash crop, globally cultivated for its good quality fiber and oil under a wide range of environmental conditions. Stagnant yield (752 kg ha-1) and poor fiber quality are the main problems being faced by Pakistani farmers, recently [3]. Drought, salinity and poor and adulterated seed supply are the main reasons for low production and fiber quality in the country [4]. Imbalanced fertilization, especially of boron (B) significantly contribute towards low yield and fiber quality [5, 6]. Boron deficiency is common in some cotton growing regions of the world, including Pakistan. B-deficiency is a common problem in tropical soils, which have low organic matter and clay contents [9]. The low organic matter and clay contents result in B from the soil profile; thu, creating its deficiency in such soils [10, 11]. Lowering B-deficiency is difficult task due to its low mobility in phloem vessels [13, 14]
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