An Asian Journal of Soil Science

Volume 7 | Issue 2 | December, 2012 | 358-366

Research Article

Nutrient uptake and its availability as influenced by plant

geometry in Bt cotton
V.V. DAHIPHALE, P.L.GHULE, J.D. JADHAV AND D.K. PALVE

Received : 05.10.2012; Revised : 18.11.2012; Accepted : 12.12.2012

MEMBERS OF RESEARCH FORUM :
Corresponding author :
J.D. JADHAV, Zonal Agricultural
Research Station, SOLAPUR (M.S.)
INDIA
Co-authors :
V.V. DAHIPHALE, P.L. GHULE
AND D.K. PALVE, Department of
Agronomy, Marathwada Krishi
Vidyapeeth, PARBHANI (M.S.) INDIA
Summary
A field investigation was conducted during Kharif season of 2009-10 . The experiment was laid out in split
plot design with three replications. There were twelve treatment combinations comprising three plant
geometries viz., 90 cm x 60 cm, 120 cm x 45 cm and 180 cm x 30 cm and four nutrient levels viz., 80:40:40,
100:50:50, 120:60:60 kg NPK/ha and 75 % RDF + 5 t FYM/ha. The plant geometries were allotted to
main plot and nutrient levels were accommodated in sub plots. The plant geometry of 90 cm x 60 cm has
recorded significantly higher number of sympodias per plant, the number of picked bolls per plant and seed
cotton yield per plant over 120 cm x 45 cm and 180 cm x 30 cm. The seed cotton yield per hectare was
also higher in plant geometry of 90 cm x 60 cm than 120 cm x 45 cm and 180 cm x 30 cm. The
application of nutrient level i.e. 120:60:60 kg NPK/ha was found superior for enhancing growth parameters
viz., plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and dry matter. The application of 75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha
was recorded significantly higher seed cotton yield per hectare.
Key words : Nutrient uptake, Availability of NPK,Yield
How to cite this article : Dahiphale, V.V., Ghule, P.L., Jadhav, J.D. and Palve, D.K.(2012). Nutrient
uptake and its availability as influenced by plant geometry in Bt cotton. Asian J. Soil Sci., 7(2): 358-366.

Introduction area after layout but before the application of fertilizers. A

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the important cash
crop of India, which is sub-tropical crop grown in an area with
rainfall of 600 mm to 2500 mm. It tolerates high temperature
upto 45oC to 46oC but temperature below 25oC is not conductive
to this crop, temperature between 27oC to 32oC is optimum for
boll development and maturation but above 38 oC yield is
reduced. Its length of growing period varies from 150 to 240
days depending upon the genotype, soil and prevailing
environment. Cotton grown on wide range of soils but medium
and heavy textured soils are preferred for cultivation of cotton
crop. Cotton needs about 700 to 1300 mm water to meet its
evaporative demand.
Resources and Research Methods
The topography of experimental field was fairly uniform,
leveled and had a good drainage. The soil samples from 0-30
cm soil strata were taken at random all over the experimental
composite soil sample of about 1 kg from gross samples
prepared and analyzed for various physico-chemical
properties. The relevant data are presented in Table A.
Data presented in Table A showed that the soil of
experimental plot was clayey in texture, low in available
nitrogen, low in available phosphorus and very high in
available potash. The soil is slightly alkaline in reaction.
The experiment was laid out in a Split Plot Design with
three replications. There were twelve treatment combinations.
The combination of three plant geometries were included in the
main plots and four nutrient levels in sub plots. The gross plot
size was 7.2 m x 5.4 m whereas, net plot size was 5.4 m x 4.5 m.
Yield (kg/ha) :
The bolls picked from each net plot were weighed and
recorded at each picking after addition of seed cotton of
respective five observational plants and converted into kg/
ha.

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 V.V. DAHIPHALE, P.L.GHULE, J.D. JADHAV AND D.K. PALVE

Harvest index : potassium.

Harvest index is the ratio between seed cotton yield and
the biological yield at harvest (Jain, 1972). It was calculated
as:
Seed cotton yield in kg
HI  x 100
Biological yield in kg
where,
Biological yield  Seed cotton yield  straw yield
Chemical studies :
Plant analysis :
Collection and preparation of plant samples :
The treatment wise plant samples of cotton were
collected at harvest. The plants were cleaned by rubbing with
cloth followed by rinsing with detergent followed by 0.2 N
HCl and deionised water. After cleaning the plant, they were
air dried and oven dried at 70oC for 12 hours and they were
ground in an electrically operated stainless steel blades grinder
upto maximum fineness. The ground sample was stored in
polythene bags with proper labeling for chemical analysis.
Preparation of plant extract :
Treatment wise one gram of fine powdered composite
cotton sample was weighed accurately. Further, each sample
was mixed with 5 ml nitric acid and kept for overnight for
predigestion. On the next day 10 ml tri-acid mixture ( HNO3,
HClO4, H2SO4 in ration of 10:4:1) was added and digested
on sand bath as described by Piper (1966). After completion
of digestion (clear white residue) the extract was diluted
and filtered through whatman number 42 filter paper. These
extracts were used for determination of phosphorus and
Total nitrogen :
Nitrogen from plant and seed samples was determined
by Microkjeldahls method .
Total phosphorus :
Phosphorus from plant and seed was estimated from
extract using vandomolybdate phosphoric yellow colour
method .
Total potassium :
Potassium in plant and seed was determined from extract
using flame photometer .
Nutrient uptake :
The uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was
calculated by multiplying the yield of seed cotton (kg/ha) or
dry matter to respective percentage of N, phosphorus and K
content in cotton plant at harvest .
Statistical analysis and interpretation of data :
The data recorded on various variables were statistically
analysed by using technique of analysis of variance and
significance was determined as given by Panse and Sukhatme
(1967).
Research Findings and Discussion
The various growth aspects and yield of Bt cotton
hybrid NCS-145 (Bunny Bt) as influenced by various plant
geometries and nutrient levels under dryland conditions have

Table A: Physico-chemical properties of soil

Sr.No. Particulars Result Method used

Mechanical composition
1. Coarse sand (Per cent) 6.58 International pipette (Piper, 1966)
2. Fine sand (Per cent) 10.30 International pipette (Piper, 1966)
3. Silt (Per cent) 21.44 International pipette (Piper, 1966)

4. Clay (Per cent) 54.40 International pipette (Piper, 1966)

5. Textural class Clayey Triangular diagram method

Chemical composition
1. Organic carbon (Per cent) 0.63 Wet oxidation (Black, 1965)
2. Available nitrogen (kg/ha) 145 Alkaline permanganate
3. Available phosphorus (kg/ha) 09 Olsen

4. Available potash (kg/ha) 380 Flame photometer (Piper, 1966)

Soil reaction
1. Soil pH 7.95 Glass electrode pH meter

2. Electrical conductivity (ds/m at 250C) 0.19 Solubridge Conductivity meter

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359 Asian J. Soil Sci., (Dec., 2012) 7 (2) : 358-366
 NUTRIENT UPTAKE & ITS AVAILABILITY AS INFLUENCED BY PLANT GEOMETRY IN Bt COTTON

been studied and the results of these findings have been
presented in this paper.
Emergence count and final plant stand :
Data pertaining to emergence and final plant stand as
influenced by various treatments are presented in Table 1.
The data in Table 2 revealed that the seedling emergence
count and final plant stand of Bt cotton NCS-145 (Bunny Bt)
was not influenced significantly due to various plant
geometries and nutrient levels. The mean emergence count

Table 1: Emergence count and final plant stand (arcsin values) in different treatments
Treatments Emergence count (per cent) Final plant stand (per cent)
Plant geometry (s)
S1- 90 cm x 60 cm 76.39 (96.98) 62.61 (88.76)
S2- 120 cm x 45 cm 75.54 (96.75) 61.77 (88.07)
S3- 180 cm x 30 cm 77.96 (97.68) 61.77 (88.07)
S.E. + 0.76 0.34
C.D. at 5% NS NS
Nutrient levels (NPK kg/ha)
F1- 80:40:40 75.73 (96.75) 61.63 (87.95)
F2- 100:50:50 76.80 (97.22) 62.01 (88.26)
F3- 120:60:60 76.90(97.22) 62.18 (88.41)
F4- 75% RDF+ 5 t FYM/ha 77.09 (97.37) 62.37 (88.57)
S.E. + 1.18 0.67
C.D. at 5% NS NS
Interaction (SxF)
S.E. + 2.04 1.16
C.D. at 5% NS NS
G.mean 76.63 (97.14) 62.05 (88.30)
Figures in parentheses are original values N.S.=Non-significant

Table 2 : Mean number of monopodial branches per plant in different treatments at various crop growth stages
Days after sowing
Treatments
60 90
Plant geometry (G)
S1- 90 cm x 60 cm 1.16 1.87
S2- 120 cm x 45 cm 1.43 2.38
S3- 180 cm x 30 cm 1.19 1.98
S.E. + 0.02 0.04
C.D. at 5% 0.07 0.12
Nutrient levels (NPK kg/ha)
F1- 80:40:40 1.25 2.07
F2- 100:50:50 1.27 2.08
F3- 120:60:60 1.29 2.11
F4- 75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha 1.23 2.04
S.E. + 0.02 0.06
C.D. at 5% NS 0.19
Interaction (GxF)
S.E. + 0.03 0.11
C.D. at 5% NS NS
G.mean 1.26 2.07
N.S.=Non-significant

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360 Asian J. Soil Sci., (Dec., 2012) 7 (2) : 358-366
 V.V. DAHIPHALE, P.L.GHULE, J.D. JADHAV AND D.K. PALVE

and final plant stand were 97.14 and 88.30 per cent, respectively.
Monopodias per plant :
Data on mean number of monopodias per plant are given
in Table 2.
branches were significantly more in plant geometry of 90 cm x
60 cm geometry than 120 cm x 45 cm plant geometry and was
at par with 180 cm x 30 cm at 90, 120, 150 DAS and at harvest.
However plant geometries did not show their influence on
number of sympodial branches at 60 DAS.

Plant geometry : Fertilizer levels :

Data in Table 3 showed that plant geometries 120 cm x 45
cm produce more number of monopodial branches than 90 cm
x 60 cm and 180 cm x 30 cm plant geometries.
Nutrient levels :
Data in Table 2 showed that application of 120:60:60 kg
NPK/ha producing more number monopodial branches and it
was at par with 100:50:50, 80:40:40 and 75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha/
ha. At 60 DAS monopodial branches did not influence
significantly for different nutrient levels.
Interaction :
The interaction effects due to different treatments under
study were not significant in respect of number of monopodias
per plant.
Sympodia per plant :
Data on sympodial branches per plant are presented in
Table 3.
Plant geometry :
Data in Table 3 showed that number of sympodial
The differences in number of sympodial branches per
plant due to various levels of NPK were significantly more in
75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha/ha than 120:60:60, 100:50:50 and
80:40:40 kg NPK/ha. However, nutrient levels did not show
their influence on number of sympodial branches at 60 DAS.
Interaction:
Interaction effects due to plant geometry and fertilizer
levels were non significant at all the days of observation.
Seed cotton yield per hectare :
Data on seed cotton yield per hectare presented in Table
4. The average seed cotton yield was 1304 kg per hectare.
Plant geometry :
Plant geometry 90cmx60cm recorded significantly higher
seed cotton yield than 180cmx30cm and 120cmx45cm
geometries.
Nutrients levels:
Application of 75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha i.e. 75:37.5:37.5
kg NPK/ha + 5 t FYM/ha recorded significantly higher seed

Table 3: Mean number of sympodial branches per plant as influenced by different treatments at various growth stages
Days after sowing
Treatments
60 90 120 150 harvest
Plant geometry (G)
S1- 90 cm x 60 cm 10.15 11.42 15.28 16.14 17.35
S2- 120 cm x 45 cm 9.22 10.73 14.65 15.57 16.70
S3- 180 cm x 30 cm 9.56 11.18 15.07 16.07 17.29
S.E. + 0.39 0.10 0.12 0.11 0.08
C.D. at 5% NS 0.32 0.35 0.34 0.26
Nutrient levels (NPK kg/ha)
F1- 80:40:40 9.40 10.73 14.59 15.45 16.71
F2- 100:50:50 9.60 11.00 14.88 15.80 17.03
F3- 120:60:60 9.60 11.01 14.92 15.90 17.03
F4- 75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha 9.66 11.70 15.61 16.57 17.68
S.E. + 0.24 0.16 0.15 0.17 0.15
C.D. at 5% NS 0.49 0.47 0.53 0.47
Interaction (GxF)
S.E. + 0.42 0.28 0.27 0.31 0.28
C.D. at 5% NS NS NS NS NS
G.mean 9.65 11.11 15.00 15.93 17.11

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 NUTRIENT UPTAKE & ITS AVAILABILITY AS INFLUENCED BY PLANT GEOMETRY IN Bt COTTON

cotton yield than nutrient levels 80:40:40, 100:50:50 and Plant geometry :
120:60:60 kg NPK/ha. Lower level of 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha Plant geometry 90 cm x 60 cm recorded higher biological
recorded significantly lower seed cotton yield than other yield (3569 kg/ha) than plant geometry 180 cm x 30 cm and 120
nutrient levels. cm x 45 cm.

Interaction : Nutrients levels :

Interaction effect was not found significant.
Straw yield (kg/ha) :
Straw yield obtained from different plant geometry and
nutrient levels is presented in Table 4. The average straw
yield recorded was 2059.1 kg/ha.
Nutrient level 75 % RDF + 5 t FYM/ha recorded higher
biological yield (3427 kg/ha) over 80:40:40, 120:60:60 and
100:50:50 kg NPK/ha.
Interaction :
Interaction effect was not found significant.

Plant geometry : Harvest index (%) :

Plant geometry 180 cm x 30 cm recorded higher straw Harvest index obtained from different plant geometry
yield (2089.3 kg/ha) than plant geometry 120 cm x 45 cm and and nutrient levels presented in Table 4. The average harvest
90 cm x 60 cm. index recorded was 38.59 per cent.

Nutrients levels : Plant geometry:

Nutrient level 120:60:60 kg NPK/ha recorded higher straw Harvest index was not influenced significantly by plant
yield (2083.5 kg/ha) over 75 % RDF + 5 t FYM kg NPK/ha and geometry 90 cm x 60 cm plant geometry recorded maximum
it was at par with 100:50:50 and 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha. harvest index (42.75 %) than other plant geometry.

Interaction : Nutrients levels:

Interaction effect was not found significant.
Biological yield (kg/ha) :
Biological yield obtained from different plant geometry
and nutrient levels is presented in Table 4. The average
biological yield recorded was 3363 kg/ha.
Harvest index was not influenced significantly by
different nutrient levels. Nutrient level 75 % RDF + 5 t FYM/
ha recorded higher harvest index (40.77 %) than other.
Interaction :
Interaction effect was not found significant.

Table 4: Seed cotton yield, straw yield, biological yield (kg/ha) and harvest index as influenced by different plant geometry and nutrient levels
Treatments Seed cotton yield (kg/ha) Straw yield (kg/ha) Biological yield (kg/ha) Harvest index (%)
Plant geometry (G)
S1- 90 cm x 60 cm 1527 2042 3569 42.75
S2- 120 cm x 45 cm 1172 2046 3218 36.32
S3- 180 cm x 30 cm 1212 2089.3 3302 36.70
S.E. + 21 10.68 23.25 0.87
C.D. (P=0.05) 62 31.73 68.97 NS
Nutrient levels (NPK kg/ha)
F1- 80:40:40 1210 2049 3259 36.96
F2- 100:50:50 1280 2078.3 3359 37.90
F3- 120:60:60 1324 2083.5 3407 38.72
F4- 75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha 1401 2025.7 3427 40.77
S.E. + 17 16.95 31.05 0.64
C.D. (P=0.05) 50 50.38 92.11 NS
Interaction (GxF)
S.E. + 29 29.36 53.78 1.12
C.D. (P=0.05) NS NS NS NS
G.mean 1304 2059.1 3363 38.59
NS=Non-significant

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 V.V. DAHIPHALE, P.L.GHULE, J.D. JADHAV AND D.K. PALVE

Growth analysis : nitrogen uptake was 52.93 kg/ha.

Growth functions are the measures of growth rates in
different growth parameters of plant. The data calculated on Plant geometry :
these aspects were not subjected to ‘F’ test of variance and In plant geometry 180 cm x 30 cm recorded higher nitrogen
the results are interpreted on the basis of mean values. uptake than plant geometry 120 cm x 45 cm and 90 cm x 60 cm.

Nitrogen uptake : Nutrient level:

Data of nitrogen uptake by Bt cotton crop as influenced In nutrient 120:60:60 kg NPK/ha recorded higher nitrogen
by different treatments are presented in Table 5. The average uptake than nutrient levels 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha, 75% RDF +

Table 5: Nutrient uptake (kg/ha) as influenced by different treatments

Treatments N uptake (kg/ha) P uptake (kg/ha) K uptake (kg/ha)
Plant geometry (S)
S1- 90 cm x 60 cm 49.69 13.78 71.34
S2- 120 cm x 45 cm 52.87 16.222 76.81
S3- 180 cm x 30 cm 56.23 19.70 81.11
S.E. + 0.31 0.24 0.45
C.D. at 5% 0.93 0.73 1.34
Nutrient levels (NPK kg/ha)
F1- 80:40:40 49.33 14.39 72.17
F2- 100:50:50 54.59 17.21 77.10
F3- 120:60:60 57.37 18.48 79.49
F4- 75% RDF + 5% FYM 50.44 16.19 76.92
S.E. + 0.46 0.39 0.33
C.D. at 5% 1.36 1.17 1.00
Interaction (S x F)
S.E. + 0.79 0.68 0.58
C.D. at 5% NS NS NS
G.mean 52.93 12.92 76.42

Table 6: Availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil at harvest as influenced by different treatments
Treatments N (kg/ha) P (kg/ha) K (kg/ha)
Plant geometry (S)
S1- 90 cm x 60 cm 149.16 13.21 389.95
S2- 120 cm x 45 cm 146.78 12.05 384.25
S3- 180 cm x 30 cm 141.24 10.70 379.68
S.E. + 0.09 0.08 0.05
C.D. at 5% 0.28 0.26 0.17
Nutrient levels (NPK kg/ha)
F1- 80:40:40 143.65 10.18 381.43
F2- 100:50:50 144.80 11.09 383.75
F3- 120:60:60 146.178 14.47 385.89
F4- 75% RDF + 5% FYM 148.28 12.21 386.86
S.E. + 0.29 0.19 0.19
C.D. at 5% 0.88 0.58 0.56
Interaction (S x F)
S.E. + 0.51 034 0.32
C.D. at 5% NS NS NS
G.mean 145.72 11.99 384.48

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 NUTRIENT UPTAKE & ITS AVAILABILITY AS INFLUENCED BY PLANT GEOMETRY IN BT COTTON
5 t FYM/ha and 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha.
Interaction :
The interaction effect was not found significant due to
different plant geometry and nutrient levels.
Phosphorus uptake :
Data of phosphorus uptake by Bt cotton crop as
influenced by different treatments are dipicted in Table 5. The
average nitrogen uptake was 12.92 kg/ha.
Plant geometry :
In plant geometry 180 cm x 30 cm recorded higher
phosphorus uptake than plant geometry 120 cm x 45 cm and
90 cm x 60 cm.
Nutrient level :
In nutrient 120:60:60 kg NPK/ha recorded higher
phosphorus uptake than nutrient levels 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha,
75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha and 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha.
Interaction :
The interaction effect was not found significant due to
different plant geometry and nutrient levels.
Potassium uptake :
Data of potassium uptake by Bt cotton crop as influenced
by different treatments are presented in Table 5. The average
nitrogen uptake was 76.42 kg/ha.
Plant geometry :
In plant geometry 180 cm x 30 cm recorded higher
potassium uptake than plant geometry 120 cm x 45 cm and 90
cm x 60 cm.
Nutrient level :
In nutrient 120:60:60 kg NPK /ha recorded higher
potassium uptake than nutrient levels 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha,
75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha and 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha.
Interaction :
The interaction effect was not found significant due to
different plant geometry and nutrient levels.
Availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and their
interaction are presented in Table 6.
Soil, climate and crop growth :
It was evident from the data on soil analysis that soil
was clayey in texture, low in available nitrogen and available
phosphorus and very high in available potash. The pH was
slightly alkaline (7.95 pH) in reaction but was normal for crop
growth.
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General growth :
The uniform plant emergence count and final plant stand
at harvest is of prime importance in testing the effects of
various treatments under field conditions as it has direct
bearing on final yield. The data revealed that emergence count
and final plant stand was not influenced due to various
treatments during the investigation indicating that the varied
seed cotton yield obtained were due to treatment effects only.
Plant geometry :
The information regarding effect of plant geometry on
various growth parameters and yield attributing characters
and yield has been discussed below.
The number of sympodia per plant was more in plant
geometry of 90 cm x 60 cm than 180 cm x 30 cm and 120 cm x 45
cm. The increase in number of sympodia in wider intra row
spacing was mainly due to supply of adequate amount of
nutrients, moisture and light interception for optimum growth
and development leading to production of more number of
sympodia. Similar result was reported by Sankaranarayanan
and Praharaj (2004), Buttar and Singh (2006) and (2007) and
Singh et al. (2007) also found that with wider intra row spacing
number of sympodia increased.
The plant geometry has marked influence on seed cotton
yield per plant. The increase in seed cotton yield per plant
was observed in plant geometries 90 cm x 60 cm than 180 cm x
30 cm and 120 cm x 45 cm. This might be due to better aeration,
adequate interception of light and lesser competition for
available nutrient and moisture, which have resulted in
synthesis of higher photosynthates and in turn helped to
produce higher seed cotton yield per plant under wider intra
row spacing. Similar results were reported by
Sankaranarayanan and Praharaj (2004), Buttar and Singh (2007)
and Singh et al. (2007).
The seed cotton yield per hectare was significantly
influenced by plant geometry. The plant geometry of 90 cm x
60 cm has significantly higher yield compared to 180 cm x 30
cm and 120 cm x 45 cm. The increased yield was due to more
number of bolls and higher seed cotton yield per plant in 90
cm x 60 cm than 180 cm x 30 cm and 120 cm x 45 cm spacing.
Similar findings were reported earlier by Sankaranarayanan
and Praharaj (2004), Buttar and Singh (2006) and (2007) and
Singh et al. (2007).
Plant geometry 180 cm x 30 cm recorded significantly higher
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake than plant geometry
120 cm x 45 cm and 90 cm x 60 cm. because due to closer intra row
spacing having greater nutrient uptake than wider intra row
spacing. Similar result reported by Dhillon et al. (2006)
Response to nutrient levels :
Cotton has shown almost universal response to graded
levels of NPK application. These three essential elements
play an important role in improving the general growth and

364 Asian J. Soil Sci., (Dec., 2012) 7 (2) : 358-366
 V.V. DAHIPHALE, P.L.GHULE, J.D. JADHAV AND D.K. PALVE
yield attributes and finally the seed cotton yield.
The plant height of cotton was increased continuously
as the age of crop advanced. The application of 120:60:60 kg
NPK/ha produced taller plant and recorded maximum height
at all the stages of crop growth. It was significantly superior
over application of 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha and at par with
application of 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha at 60, 120and 150 DAS.
This might be due to more availability of nutrients because of
higher level of fertilizer dose i.e. 120:60:60 kg NPK/ha which
might have increased all the vital physiological processes,
which facilitated translocation of photosynthates to growing
meristematic tissues. It is well documented fact that application
of phosphorus assists in absorption of metabolites, water
and its further transformation for the growth of plant in terms
of height. Application of K2O helps in activation of enzymes
in meristematic tissue and it plays decisive role in cell wall
plasticity resulting in increased growth. Similar results were
reported by Halemani et al. (2004) and Ram and Giri (2006).
The application of level of nutrient i.e. 75% RDF + 5 t
FYM/ha effective in enhancing mean number of sympodial
branches/plant and they were significantly superior over
application of 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha. The balanced NPK + FYM
application improved nutrient uptake in cotton which in turn
might have more stimulation of enzymes present in
meristematic tissue due to higher fertilizer level and increased
cell division and cell elongation of cotton crop. Ultimately, it
results into production of more photosynthates and sympodial
branches. Bhoite and Thombre (2006), Kaur et al. (2008), Raut
et al. (2006), Charjan (2001), Katkar et al. (2002) and Nehara et
al. (2004) had also reported the beneficial effect of application
of FYM + NPK on sympodial branches in cotton.
The number of leaves and leaf area were improved
significantly due to application of graded level of NPK.
Application of fertilizer dose 120:60:60 kg NPK/ha was effective
in increasing number of functional leaves and significantly
superior over 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha, 100:50:50 and 75% RDF + 5
t FYM/ha and it was at par with 100:50:50kg NPK/ha at 60,90
DAS and at harvest. This could be due to height of plant and
more photosynthetic activity due to application of higher levels
of nutrient to Bt cotton hybrid. The application of 120:60:60
kg NPK /ha increased leaf area/plant significantly over
application of 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha and was at par with
application of 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha at 120 DAS and at harvest
and also at par with 75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha at 30 DAS. The
increase in leaf area might be attributed to number of functional
leaves/plant. Substantial improvement in number of functional
leaves and leaf area/plant due to application of higher levels
of nutrients were reported earlier by Halemani et al. (2004)
and Hallikeri et al. (2004).
In present investigation, application of graded level of
fertilizers have marked influence on dry matter production/
plant.Application of 120:60:60 kg NPK /ha recorded
significantly higher total dry matter/plant over application of
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80:40:40 kg NPK/ha and 75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha and it was at
par with 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha at 120 and 150 DAS. The increase
in dry matter was might be due to more availability of nutrients
which in turn increased plant height, number of leaves and
leaf area which ultimately enhanced production of
photosynthates and its subsequent accumulation in plant.
The increase in dry matter due to application of higher level of
fertilizers was also reported by Halemani et al. (2004), Hallikeri
et al. (2004) and Ram and Giri (2006).
Yield contributing characters viz., number of picked bolls,
seed cotton yield/plant (g) and boll weight were improved
due to application of balanced levels of fertilizer doses.
Application of 75 % RDF + 5 t FYM/ha was found effective in
enhancing the number of picked bolls/plant, boll weight and
seed cotton yield/plant and were significantly superior over
application of 120:60:60, 100:50:50 and 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha.
The increased number of picked bolls and boll weight might
be due to increased availability of nutrients and its
translocation to sinks. Similar results were reported by Bhoite
and Thombre (2006), Kaur et al. (2008), Raut et al. (2006),
Charjan (2001), Katkar et al. (2002) and Nehara et al. (2004).
The substantial increase in seed cotton yield/ha was
associated with the improvement in various growth and yield
attributes viz., number of sympodial branches, number of picked
boll/plant, yield/plant. The increased seed cotton yield per hectare
due to application of balanced levels of fertilizers was also found
by Bhoite and Thombre (2006), Kaur et al. (2008), Raut et al.
(2006), Charjan (2001), Katkar et al. (2002) and Nehara et al. (2004).
The quality parameter like ginning per cent, lint index,
and earliness index was not influenced significantly by
different nutrient levels. Similar results was reported by Dhillon
et al. (2006).
The benefit:cost ratio was higher in nutrient levels
equaly 80:40:40 and 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha than 120:60:60 kg
NPK/ha and 75% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha. Similar result was reported
by Kaur et al. (2008).
Nutreint levels 120:60:60 NPK kg/ha recorded significantly
higher nutrient uptake than nutrient levels 80:40:40, 100:50:50 kg
NPK/ha and 75 % RDF + 5 t FYM/ha. Increase in nutrient level
increased the nutreint uptake by Bt cotton plant.
Interaction :
The complimentary effects of plant geometry and
fertilizer levels were not evident as concerned to growth and
yield attributes as well as on seed cotton yield.
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Asian J. Soil Sci., (Dec., 2012) 7 (2) : 358-366