Abstract
Seedbed preparation and sowing methods play significant role in obtaining good crop yields. To explore the agronomic productivity and economic efficacy of different tillage and sowing methods in cotton, a two year field study was conducted during 2010 and 2011. The experiment comprised of two tillage systems viz; conventional tillage (one time disc harrow + two cultivations + planking) and deep tillage (chiseling twice + one cultivation + planking) along with three sowing methods viz; flat sowing, ridge sowing and bed sowing. Split plot design was used with three replications. Deep tillage amplified seed cotton yields by 18.7% and 11.14% during 2010 and 2011, respectively. Bed sowing exhibited higher yield contributing traits such as number of opened bolls per plant and boll weight as compared to ridge and flat sowing. Deep tillage with bed sowing gave maximum net returns of USD 1407.88 with BCR of 1.81 during the year 2010, while during 2011 it was USD 783.50 with BCR 1.45. Bulk density of the soil was found lower in the upper layer of soil surface as compared to lower surface under deep tillage systems as compared to conventional tillage systems. It was concluded that deep tillage produced more number of plants which contributed towards highest seed cotton yield. Moreover deep tillage was more costly except in bed sowing of cotton crop. The interactive effect of tillage systems and sowing methods were found non significant during both years of study.
Highlights
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plays a vital role in Pakistan’s economy (Ibrahim et al, 2007; Ahmad et al, 2015)
Crop husbandry: The soil was prepared using one time disc harrow along with two cultivations followed by planking in conventional tillage, while, in deep tillage, the soil was prepared with two time chiselling and one time cultivation followed by planking Ridges were made using ridge and beds with bed-shaper.Sowing was done on 28th May 2010 and 26th May, 2011during both years
The increase in sympodial branches might be attributed to the early emergence and proper stand establishment in deep tillage and cotton grown on beds as compared to conventional tillage and flat sowing where germination of cotton occurred 3-4 days later than other planting methods
Summary
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plays a vital role in Pakistan’s economy (Ibrahim et al, 2007; Ahmad et al, 2015). Irrigation and sowing methods are important factors that greatly affect crop productivity. Ridge and bed planting are used in different crops under different climatic conditions because both provide labour saving, increase in soil fertility, improved water management, enhanced water use efficiency, erosion control, enrich rooting depth and better pest management (Lal, 1990). Alamouti and Navabzadeh (2007) found pronounced effects of deep tillage on soil bulk density, infiltration rate, and crop yields as compared to semi-deep and shallow tillage systems with increasing ploughing depth. Various planting methods such as flat sowing, ridge planting and bed planting for the cotton crop are being practised in Pakistan. Whereas cotton crop grown using bed and furrow planting method with plastic sheet/film mulching technique produced sustainable cotton production and better water economy (Iftikhar et al, 2010). The above discussion about the prevailing contradictions regarding the impact of deep tillage and sowing methods on the cotton yield, this study was planned with the objectives to assess most suitable and economical tillage system and planting methods and its impact on the ultimate yield of cotton
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