The Effect of Planting Dates and Planting Methods on Cotton Quantitative and Qualitative Traits in Moderate and Humid Climatic Conditions

Abstract

otton is one of the most important crops in Golestan Province, Iran. The planting and harvesting date interferes with autumn crops such as wheat. A delay in planting cotton causes a decrease in yield. Transplanting cultivation can help to solve this problem. For this purpose, an experiment was carried out during two crop years in 2017 and 2018 in Iran, Golestan Province, Gorgan city, research station of Iraqi Mahlah in the form of a split plot based on randomized complete blocks design in four replications. Experimental treatments including planting dates at three levels including; Planting dates were May 27, June 16 and July 7 and planting methods were in seven levels (6 treatments using Transplanting and direct seeding methods). Quantitative traits including plant height, number of bolls per plant, lint weight per boll, lint yield and biological yield were measured along with cotton qualitative traits such as fiber length, stretch percentage, fiber fineness, fiber strength and uniformity index. Based on the results, the simple effect of planting dates, planting methods, as well as the interaction effect of planting dates × planting methods on all quantitative and qualitative traits were significant. Also, the interaction effect of year × planting date × planting method on the number of bolls per plant and biological yield was significant. The average lint yield in transplanting methods was 2256 kg per hectare and showed an increase of about 37% compared to direct seeding cultivation method. The best cultivation method it was that one with one seedling transplanted, the distance between the rows=75 cm and the distance on the rows=40 cm, the yields being higher as compared to other treatments. In general, the lint yield in direct seeding was much lower than the lint yield in transplanting cultivation. Also, the quality traits were affected by planting dates and planting methods, and in most cases, cotton quality traits were improved in the transplanting cultivation method. Therefore, if the cost of producing and transporting seedlings is economical, cotton transplanting is preferable to direct seeding cultivation.