Higher Seed Cotton Yield Research Articles

MAXIMIZING LAND USAGE AND PROFITABILITY BY RELAY INTERCROPPING COTTON WITH SOME CROPS AND ITS RELATION TO INSECT CENSU

A two-years study was carried out at Sids Agricultural Research Station, Beni-Sweif government, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt, during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons to evaluate response of Egyptian cotton traits to different intercropping systems with some wheat cultivars and its relationship with land usage ,farmer's benefit and insect infestation. The treatments were the combination between three wheat cultivars (Sids 4, Sids 12 and Misr 2) and three intercropping systems (wheat/cotton ‘CS1’, wheat + onion (green)/cotton ‘CS2’ and wheat + onion(green) /cotton + sesame ‘CS3’). The treatments were compared in a split plot design with three replications. The results showed that Wheat cultivar Misr 2 gave higher plant , biological and grain yields(10.41, 7.09, 19.71and 18.09) per fad but it had lower grains weight per spike than others in both seasons. Wheat cultivar Sids 4 had higher spike length and weight, grains weight per spike and 1000-grain weight. The cropping system 'CS1' had higher grain yield per fad ( 18.89 and 17.44 ardab ) than the other cropping systems in both seasons. The interaction between wheat cultivars and cropping systems significantly affected for all the studied wheat traits in both seasons. Wheat cultivar Misr 2 in cropping system CS1 recorded the highest grain yield (20.50 and 18.31) ardab per fad in both seasons. Meanwhile, the highest spike length and grains weight were obtained by growing wheat cultivar Sids 4 in cropping systems CS2, respectively, in the first season and with wheat cultivar Sids 12 in the second season. Relay intercropping cotton with wheat cultivar Sids 4 had higher seed cotton yield (8.80, 6.86 kintar) per fad than the other cultivars in both seasons. Cropping system CS1 had higher seed cotton yield ( 9.20, 7.14 kintar) per fad than other cropping systems in both seasons. The interaction between wheat cultivars and cropping systems significantly affected for all the studied cotton traits in both seasons hears rely intercropping cotton with wheat cultivar Sids 4 in intercropping CS1 give the highest values for all the studied cotton traits in both seasons. The intercropping had a significant effect on insects, larvae and whole insects. The intercropping resulted in a significant decrease in the number of insects in each of the Jassed, Aphin and the Nezara Viridula in all intercropping systems. Conversely, the intercropping cotton with wheat increased the number of red spider insects, thrips and white flies. In comparison, the intercropping resulted in a significant increase in the number of natural enemies in all intercropping systems in both seasons. while intercropping sesame with cotton also had a significant effect on insects in general, in contrast, this intercropping system had a significant effect on the incidence of almonds worms, where there was a significant decrease compared to single cotton in both seasons. on the above, intensive cropping system (Onion + wheat cultivar Sids 4/cotton + sesame) reduced insect incidence compared to the conventional cropping system (wheat/cotton). Relay intercropping cotton with wheat cultivar Sids 4 and intercropping sesame with cotton after wheat harvest (CS3) had the highest LER ( 2.81 and 2.64) , ATER(1.30 and 1.21) and MAI (LE 23985 and 21194) for the cropping system (Onion + wheat cultivar Sids 4/cotton + sesame)in the first and second seasons, respectively was higher values compared the other treatments in both seasons.

Screening of upland cotton genotypes (Gossypium hirsutum L.) against cotton verticillium (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.) Wilt

Screening of upland cotton genotypes against Verticillium wilt disease was conducted. The 268 upland cotton genotypes (Carmen and Acala Maxxa cultivar were tolerant- control while cvs. Cukurova 1518 and Acala SJ2 were susceptible-control) were screened against defoliating (PYDV6) and non-defoliating (Vd11) pathotypes of the fungus in a randomized plot design with four replications in growth chamber. Field experiment was established according to the augmented experimental design. Variance analysis was significant (p ≤ 0.05) for all traits against Verticillium wilt. Cvs. Semerkant Uzbek and Taskent 6 were more tolerant than the tolerant-control cultivars against both pathotypes. Most of the genotypes were tolerant in field trial in terms of disease severity that was the lowest for STN K311 genotype in both periods. The highest seed cotton yield was obtained in genotypes as BA119, Okra 204, H-23, Gedera-5, PI 528420 and Acala Royale, which were moderately tolerant to the wilt disease.

Plant Density Influences Reproductive Growth, Lint Yield and Boll Spatial Distribution of Cotton

The number of cotton plants grown per unit of ground area has gained attention due to the high prices of inputs and lower production. Cotton yield per unit of area in Henan province has been stagnant in the last few years. The objectives of this study were to investigate cotton growth, yield, boll spatial distribution and biomass accumulation using different plant densities at cultivation and to find out the optimal plant density. A 2-year field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design under six plant densities (D1, 15,000; D2, 33,000; D3, 51,000; D4, 69,000; D5, 87,000 and D6, 105,000 ha−1). Cotton grown at lower plant density produced taller plants and high number of leaves per plant while greater number of branches, fruiting nodes and high number of bolls per unit of ground area were produced under high plant density. Boll retention rate decreased as plant population increased and at nodes 1–8 the rate decreased slowly and then increased dramatically. The highest seed cotton yield (4546 kg ha−1) and lint yield (1682 kg ha−1) was produced by D5. The seed cotton and lint yield produced by D5 were 51–55%, 40–37%, 22–26%, 11–15%, 12–15%, 28–30%, 21–24%, 15–20%, 7–13% and 13–17% higher than D1, D2, D3, D4 and D6 during both years of experimentation, respectively. The increase in seed yield was due to higher biomass accumulation in reproductive organs under D5 plant density. The highest average (110.4 VA kg ha−1 d−1) and maximum (126 VM kg ha−1 d−1) rate of reproductive organs biomass was also accumulated by D5 as compared to other plant densities. The results suggest that D5 is the optimal plant density for high reproductive biomass accumulation and high yield for the area of Henan province.

Efficacy of Defoliants on Yield and Fibre Quality of American Cotton in Semi-Arid Conditions

The study was conducted for exploring the effect of Dropp ultra and Ethrel, their application rates and time of application on two American cotton cultivars. The experiment was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal with cultivars NH615 and Sivanandi for two consecutive seasons from 2015-2017 in split plot design with three replications. Application of defoliants like Dropp ultra SC (Thidiazuron 360 + Diuron 180) 200 and 250 ml/ha, Ethrel 1500, 2000 and 3000 ppm were carried at 120 and 140 days after sowing respectively. The results of the study indicated that defoliation with Dropp ultra 250 ml/ha recorded higher percentage of defoliation (92.3) and higher seed cotton yield (2207 kg/ha). Application of defoliants at 140 days after sowing significantly recorded higher yields. There was no difference between the treatments in terms of fibre length and fibre strength. However fibre fineness and uniformity ratio were significantly affected by application of defoliants.

Variations in growth, water consumption and economic benefit of transplanted cotton after winter wheat harvest subjected to different irrigation methods

In the North China Plain (NCP), the utilization efficiency of cultivated land can be improved by transplanted cotton after winter wheat harvest (TCWWH). To understand the growth, water consumption and economic benefit of TCWWH under different irrigation methods, an irrigation experiment was carried out during 2013–2015 to explore the effects of border irrigation (BI), surface drip irrigation (SDI) and micro-sprinkling hose irrigation (MHI) on the plant development, water use efficiency (WUE) and economic benefit of TCWWH. The results showed that the survival rate of cotton seedlings in the SDI treatment was 12% and 7% larger than that in the BI and the MHI treatments, respectively. SDI increased plant height by 19% and 8% and increased leaf area index (LAI) by 24% and 17%, compared with BI and MHI, respectively. The highest seed cotton yield and better fibre quality were obtained in the SDI treatment, compared to the BI and the MHI treatments. Compared with BI and MHI, SDI reduced the soil evaporation and evapotranspiration (ET) in the field, and resulted in the largest WUE. The net profit generated by the SDI treatment exceeded that of the BI and the MHI treatments by 183% and 23%, respectively. Therefore, SDI can promote the growth of TCWWH and can increase the WUE and the economic benefit of TCWWH, compared with BI and MHI.

Selecting Appropriate Cotton Based Cropping Pattern for Increasing Cropping Intensity in Bangladesh

The experiment was conducted at Cotton Research, Training and Seed Multiplication Farm, Jagodishpur, Chowgacha, Jessore initiated June 19, 2015 for the cropping season 2015-16 to observe the performance of cotton based cropping system including total three crops in a year. The other crops were i) relay wheat – mungbean and ii) relay lentil – mungbean. Four cotton varieties CB-12, CB-13, CB-14 and CB Hybrid-1 were sowed in a RCBD design with three replications. Seed cotton yield was significantly different among the varieties. The highest seed cotton yield (2519.3 kg/ha) was obtained from CB Hybrid-1 and the lowest (2112.37 kg/ha) seed cotton was produced by CB-13. The highest BCR (1.31) was observed in cotton (CB Hybrid-1) –relay lentil –mungbean cropping pattern and the lowest BCR (1.10) was observed in Cotton (CB-13) – relay wheat –mungbean cropping pattern. The finding infers that cotton – relay lentil - mungbean cropping pattern might have the potentiality to increase cropping intensity in Bangladesh.
 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 11(1-2): 37-41 2018

Growth and yield of cotton as affected by different straw returning modes with an equivalent carbon input

Crop production is greatly affected by the applications of straw and straw-biochar. However, the responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth and yield to different straw returning modes with an equivalent carbon (C) input are still unclear. A four-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different straw returning modes on the soil temperature, soil water content, soil nutrient availability, cotton root growth, cotton nutrient status, cotton canopy photosynthetic properties and seedcotton yield in a barley-cotton rotation system in Yancheng, China. Based on an equivalent C input, five treatments were set: straw-biochar incorporation (SB), straw incorporation with microbial inoculant (SI), straw incorporation (S), straw mulching (SM), and the control without straw or straw-biochar (CK). Treatments with straw and straw-biochar significantly enhanced most cotton growth parameters, and consequently increased the seedcotton yield from the second year to the fourth year. Such beneficial effects induced by the applications of straw and straw-biochar tended to progressively increase annually. In the fourth year, seedcotton yields in SB, SI, S and SM were significantly increased by 24.2%, 16.1%, 14.3% and 8.2%, respectively, compared with that of the control. The highest increase in seedcotton yield in SB was due to the greatest improvements in the contents of soil available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K); root biomass; NPK uptake by cotton; partitioning percentage of NPK to bolls; and canopy apparent photosynthesis rate. The lowest increase in seedcotton yield in SM was mainly ascribed to a reduction of 2.4–3.2 ℃ in the daily maximum temperature of topsoil at the early growth stage of cotton. Overall, compared with other crop straw returning modes, converting straw into biochar and incorporating it into fields could be an appropriate practice for sustaining high seedcotton yield in the barley-cotton rotation system.

Türkiye’de Yarı Kurak İklim Koşullarında Organik ve Konvansiyonel Tarım Sistemlerinde Üretilen Bazı Pamuk (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Çeşitlerinin Lif Kalite Özellikleri ve Bu Özellikler Arasındaki Korelasyon

Objective: The aim of the present research was to compared differences among the organic and conventional farming system in fibres quality properties of some cotton varieties under semi arid climatic conditions of Turkey.Material and Methods: This research was carried out by using the ST-468 and BA-119 cotton varieties in three replications, according to the randomized block split parcel trial design under organic farmland conditions in 2013-2014 growing seasons; NPK, Biofarm (cattle fertilizer) and pigeon manure and control plots (without fertilizer).Results: It was found that the seed cotton yield varied from 3594.8 (ST-468) to 3737.4 kg ha-1 (BA-119) in the varieties and the highest yield was obtained from the BA-119 with 3737.4 kg ha-1. It was determined that there was a statistical important difference between two varieties in terms of seed cotton yield. We think that this efficiency difference between varieties is caused by genetic and environmental factors. The result of fertilization applications was changed between 3370.0 (cattle manure) and 4424.5 kg ha-1 (chemical fertilization) and the highest seed cotton yield was obtained from chemical (NPK) fertilization applies.Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it has been concluded that the cotton produced in the conventional production conditions is heavily contaminated with chemical inputs and this has negative effects on the pollution of the environment.

Mulches and Nitrogen Application Improves Cotton Yield and Fiber Quality

Cotton is an important cash crop and source of foreign exchange. Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for plant growth throughout the life span of the crop. Wheat straw mulch not only source of nitrogen supply but also improves soil fertility and reduces soil erosion. The current study was performed to investigate the effects of mulches and nitrogen application on cotton productivity and fiber quality at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan. Two crop residues i.e. wheat straw and non wheat straw were used in main plots while nitrogen levels viz. 0,50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 were randomized in subplots. The highest seed cotton yield (22.99 t ha-1) was obtained by the combination of nitrogen fertilizer application highest level (150 kg N ha-1) along with the wheat straw (20.27 t ha-1). The fiber quality was also affected by the wheat straw along with nitrogen application 150 kg N ha-1 and gave maximum results. In conclusion, wheat straw along with 150 kg ha-1 of Nitrogen application gave maximum results on cotton production as compared to non straw with low nitrogen application.

Pamuk Tarımında Tapan Geçiş Sayısının Toprağın Fiziksel Özellikleri, Bitki Gelişimi ve Yabancı Ot Türlerine Etkisi

In cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) agriculture, very loose soil results in reduced seed emergence and stand establishment because the contact between soil and seed is deficient. Therefore, the use of a planker before planting may help firm seedbeds and improve stand establishment. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of different pass numbers of the planker on soil bulk density, moisture content and cotton seed emergence. Also, weed species and plant growth parameters were determined in the study. The five treatments including different soil planking levels (P0, untreated control; P1, one pass of planker; P2, two passes of planker; P3, three passes of planker; P4, four passes of planker) was compared by using completely randomized block design with three replications. The results of the study indicated that while the soil bulk density and moisture content was increased with increasing the pass number of planker, multi-pass of planker significantly reduced seed emergence rate and SPAD value. The highest seed cotton yield per plant was found at P1 (one pass of planker) treatment. Also, soil planking levels affected the weed species and the density of this species. Control plots (P0) had higher weeds species than other treatments. In conclusion, the findings of this research suggest that multi-pass of planker may reduce seed emergence and cotton yield although it increases the moisture content at 0-10 cm soil depth which has positive effect on seed emergence, under the soil and climate conditions like the experimental field.

Identification of Promising Colour-cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Genotypes with High Seed Cotton Yield and Fiber Quality Traits for Eco-friendly Textiles

Identification of Promising Colour-cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Genotypes with High Seed Cotton Yield and Fiber Quality Traits for Eco-friendly Textiles

Influence of treated tannery effluent along with domestic wastewater on yield attributes, yield and nutrient uptake of cotton

Field experiment was conducted at the common effluent treatment plant (CETP), Dindigul, Tamil Nadu during winter 2013 to investigate the influence of treated tannery effluent along with domestic wastewater on yield attributes, yield and nutrient uptake of cotton. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design replicated thrice. Treatments comprised six levels of irrigation sources viz 25 per cent treated tannery effluent (TTE) + 75 per cent domestic wastewater (DWW), 50 per cent TTE + 50 per cent DWW, 75 per cent TTE + 25 per cent DWW, 100 per cent TTE, 100 per cent DWW and control (normal water) under factor A and three amendments viz control (without amendment), gypsum and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) under factor B. The results revealed that the mixing proportion of 1: 3 ie application of 25 per cent TTE + 75 per cent DWW significantly increased the yield parameters (number of sympodial branches, number of fruiting points and number of bolls per plant), nutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and yield of cotton. Regarding amendments, gypsum application registered higher seed cotton yield and nutrient uptake followed by AM.

Performance of different upland cotton varieties under the climatic condition of Lasbella Uthal Balochistan

Abstract A trial was conducted at Cotton Research Station Lasbela for testing and evaluating the yield and fiber performance of different commercial cotton varieties so that on the basis of the results best varieties can be recommended for general cultivation in the area. Eight best Bt and non-Bt cotton varieties of different organizations were sown under the climatic condition of Lasbela. It was concluded that CRIS-129 obtained maximum seed cotton yield (3850 kg ha-1) followed by CRIS-342 (3592 kg ha-1) and Sindh-1 (3518 kg ha-1). For bolls per plant CRIS-129 formed maximum number of bolls (43.0) per plant fallowed by CRIS-342 (40.2) and Sindh-1 (39.0). Maximum boll weight (3.7g) was weighted in variety MNH-886. Whereas, CRIS-342 and BH-178 and CEMB-33 were the second which gave (3.5 g) boll weight. CEMB-33 ginned highest lint percentage (41.5) followed by MNH-886 (40.0) and Sadori (38.6). CRIS-342 produced longer staple length (29.0 mm) followed by BH-178 (28.3 mm) and Sadori (28.2 mm). Regarding mike value CRIS-129 and Sadori produced better mike value (4.4 µ inch-1) as compared to other varieties. Among all the varieties CRIS-129 showed maximum fiber strength (35.0 g/tex-1) followed by CRIS-134 (34.2 g/tex-1) and CRIS-342 (32.5 g/tex-1). On the basis of present findings, it was concluded that upland cotton cultivar ‘CRIS-129’ showed promising results for getting higher seed cotton yield followed by CRIS-342 and Sindh-1. The cotton cultivar ‘CRIS-129’ is recommended to cotton growers for cultivation under climatic condition of Lasbella, Uthal Balochistan. Keywords: Fiber strength; Lint (%); Seed cotton yield http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700211

COMPARATIVE FIELD EFFICACY OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI AND CERTAIN NEW INSECTICIDE MOLECULES AGAINST LEAFHOPPERS, AMRASCA DEVASTANS (DISTANT) ON BT COTTON

ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of certain new molecules as well as entomopathogens as foliar sprays against leafhoppers in Bt cotton at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh for two consecutive years. The new molecule, flonicamid 50% WG at two doses i.e. at 75 g a.i./ha and 100g a.i./ha followed by diafenthiuron 50% WP 300 g a.i./ha and buprofezin 25% SC @ 250 g a.i./ha were found promising against leaf hoppers together with high seed cotton yield. New molecules were found significantly superior over to NSKE 5 % and entomopathogens in suppressing the leafhoppers.

GIZA 95” A LONG STAPLE EGYPTIAN COTTON VARIETY FOR MIDDLE AND UPPER EGYPT

Giza95 is a new long-staple Egyptian cotton variety. It has been introduced by the Cotton Breeding Research Section through artificial hybridization between the variety Giza80 and the genotype [(Giza83xGiza75) x5844] followed by the pedigree method of selection. The variety Giza 95 has 6.90% higher seed cotton yield (SCY) and 16.32% higher lint yield (LY) than the commercial variety Giza 90. It slightly surpassed Giza 90 for boll weight (BW) and lint percentage (L %). Fiber quality traits for the new variety Giza 95 was nearly

Coupling effects of water and fertilizer on yield, water and fertilizer use efficiency of drip-fertigated cotton in northern Xinjiang, China

Xinjiang is the main cotton-growing region in China, but the shortage of water resources and the low utilization of fertilizers have restricted its agricultural development. Field experiments were conducted during 2012–2014 to investigate the coupling effects of different amounts of water and fertilizers on seed cotton yield, water and fertilizer use efficiency as well as economic benefits in northern Xinjiang of Northwest China. The optimum combinations of water and fertilizer inputs were determined for both single-objective and multi-objective optimizations through the least squares method and multiple regression analysis. The main plots comprised of five N-P2O5-K2O fertilization levels (150-60-30, 200-80-40, 250-100-50, 300-120-60 and 350-140-70 kg ha−1), which were designated as F0.6, F0.8, F1.0, F1.2 and F1.4, respectively. Three drip irrigation levels, designated as full irrigation (1.0 ETc, ETc is the crop evapotranspiration), medium irrigation (0.8 ETc) and low irrigation (0.6 ETc), were assigned as the sub–plots. For the same fertilization level, the results revealed that leaf area index (LAI), dry matter accumulation, seed cotton yield, partial factor productivity (PFP) and the economic benefits increased with increasing irrigation water. These parameters reached their maximum values at the irrigation amount of 1.0 ETc. At the same irrigation level, the LAI, dry matter accumulation, seed cotton yield and water use efficiency (WUE) first increased and then decreased as the amount of fertilizers increased. These parameters were maximized in 2012 and 2014 when 300-120-60 kg ha−1 of fertilizers (N-P2O5-K2O) was applied. A low level of irrigation was not conducive to the functioning of fertilizers. The WUE was low, but the seed cotton yield and economic benefits were obviously higher under the full irrigation level. Therefore, based on the results of this study, full irrigation along with a fertilizer rate of 300-120-60 kg ha−1 (N-P2O5-K2O) should be considered as the best fertigation strategy for both high seed cotton yield and economic benefits. By establishing a multi-objective optimization model using binary quadratic regression analysis, it was concluded that the seed cotton yield, economic benefits and water use efficiency reached ≥90% of their maximum values simultaneously when the irrigation interval was 362.3–462.5 mm and the fertilizer (N-P2O5-K2O) interval was 212.5-85-42.5 to 367.5-147-73.5 kg ha−1. The obtained optimum combinations of water and fertilizer can provide a scientific basis for irrigation and fertilization optimization and management in northern Xinjiang of Northwest China and other regions with similar environments.

Co-expression of AtNHX1 and TsVP improves the salt tolerance of transgenic cotton and increases seed cotton yield in a saline field

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stressors affecting cotton production. The AtNHX1 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana and the TsVP gene from Thellungiella halophila were co-expressed in cotton (cv. GK35) to improve its salt tolerance. Cotton with overexpressed AtNHX1-TsVP genes had higher emergence rates and higher dry matter accumulation under salt stress in the greenhouse and better emergence rates and survival rates in a saline field compared to the WT. More importantly, the cotton with overexpressed AtNHX1-TsVP genes had higher seed cotton yield in the saline field. The growth of transgenic cotton with overexpression of the AtNHX1-TsVP genes may be related to the accumulation of Na+, K+ and Ca2+ in leaves under salt stress. The accumulation of these cations could improve the ability to maintain ion homeostasis and osmotic potential in plant cells under salt stress, thereby conferring cells with higher relative water content and maintaining higher carbon assimilation capacity. These results reveal that overexpression of AtNHX1-TsVP significantly enhances the tolerance of transgenic cotton to high salinity compared to WT. This study aids efforts of breeding salt-tolerant cotton to achieve the strategy of “westward, eastward, northward” in Chinese cotton production.

Drip fertigation improves water and nitrogen use efficiency of Bt cotton

Availability of good quality water for agrarian purposes has become a major issue across the globe. Because of increasing demand from domestic and industrial sectors in most developing countries, irrigation water is becoming a scarce and expensive input for crop production in northwestern India. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production through flood irrigation not only wastes precious and limited water available but also leads to nutrient leaching, excessive vegetative growth, and delayed maturity. Drip irrigation coupled with fertigation holds a greater promise, specifically for the Indian state of Punjab, comprising the arid and semiarid zones of northwestern India, where brackish underground water renders it unfit for crop production. Hence, a field experiment was conducted to find a water and nitrogen (N) efficient fertigation treatment for Bt cotton for improving cotton productivity. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design with combinations of three drip irrigation levels (0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 evapotranspiration [ETc]), three N fertigation levels (50%, 75%, and 100% of recommended dose of N [RDN], i.e., 75 kg N ha−1), and an extra absolute control (surface flood irrigation with soil application of RDN). The highest seed cotton yield (SCY) of 2,294 kg ha−1 was recorded with drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc, which was statistically on par with 1.0 ETc but significantly better than 0.6 ETc. Among N fertigation levels, 100% RDN recorded maximum SCY (2,308 kg ha−1), which was on par with 75% RDN but significantly better than 50% RDN. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) decreased successively and significantly with increase in fertigation level; however, apparent water productivity (AWP) and water use efficiency (WUE) remained statistically on par between 75% and 100% RDN. WUE was significantly higher under drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc than 0.6 and 1.0 ETc; however, AWP was on par between 0.6 and 0.8 ETc. Combination of drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc and 75% RDN recorded the highest SCY (2,428 kg ha−1). Drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc resulted in 7% higher consumptive use, saving 62.1% more irrigation water than absolute control. Furthermore, the combination of drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc and 75% RDN recorded 31.2%, 22.6%, 74.9%, and 17.8% higher SCY, WUE, NUE, and benefit to cost ratio (B:C) than the absolute control, respectively. Thus, drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc with 75% RDN fertigation was more profitable, more N efficient, and more water efficient that the traditional practice of cotton cultivation in Indian Punjab.

GENOTYPE-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION IN YIELD OF HILL COTTON GENOTYPES

Stability analysis helps in understanding the adaptability of genotypes over different environmental conditions and the identification of adaptable genotypes. The experiment was conducted at the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) areas of Bangladesh i.e. Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari during May to September 2014 to study the genotype environment interaction effect on yield of some selected hill cotton genotypes. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor A: Location (3 locations) - L1: Bandarban; L2: Rangamati and L3: Khagrachari; Factor B: Different cotton genotypes G1: HCG-4; G2: HCG-13, G3: HCG-15, G4: HCG-21, G5: HCG-26, G6: HCG-42, G7: HCG-51 and V8: HC-1 (Check). In case of location environment, the maximum boll per plant was recorded from Bandarban (19.13). The highest single boll weight was recorded from Bandarban (4.65 g). The highest seed cotton yield per hectare was recorded from Bandarban (1825 kg). The highest lint yield per hectare was recorded from Khagrachari (809 kg). For genotypes, maximum boll per plant (24.61), single boll weight (5.18 g), seed cotton yield per hectare (2170 kg) and lint yield per hectare (927 kg) was observed in HCG-13. In case of interaction of environments and genotypes, highest boll per plant (27.03), single ball weight (5.29 g), seed cotton yield per hectare (2170 kg), lint yield per hectare (981 kg) was observed in HCG-13 at Bandarban than the Rangamati and Khagrachari. Based on performance of eight genotypes HCG-13 followed by HCG-21 and HCG -42 was found to be highest yielder.Genotype HCG-13 was found highest yielder than the other genotypes and showed better performance at Bandarban than the Rangamati and Khagrachari.

English

A filed experiment was conducted during rainy season of 2014 at College Farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad to study the effect of biofertilizer consortia of microbes applied to soil and foliar application of macro nutrients on quality parameters of Bt Cotton. Consortia of microbes applied to soil + foliar application of 18:18:18 @ 1.5 per-cent recorded significantly higher total number of bolls plant-1 (25.1), boll weight (6.62 g), seed index (11.00) and seed cotton plant-1 (96.41 g) over other treatments. Significantly higher seed cotton yield also recorded with consortia + foliar application of 18:18:18 @ 1.5 per cent (1670 kg ha-1) over other treatments and control (1004 kg ha-1).