Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2020; 9(5): 1952-1958

E-ISSN: 2278-4136
P-ISSN: 2349-8234
www.phytojournal.com Response of Bt cotton to high density planting and
JPP 2020; 9(5): 1952-1958
Received: 30-06-2020 nitrogen levels through fertigation
Accepted: 28-08-2020

Solanki RM Solanki RM, Malam KV, Vasava MS and Chhodavadia SK

Micro Irrigation Research
Project, Dept. of Agronomy,
Abstract
Junagadh Agricultural
An experiment during kharif-rabi season of 2016-17 to 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in a split
University, Junagadh, Gujarat,
India
plot design with three replication. The results revealed that significantly maximum seed cotton yield and
stalk yield were recorded when sowing of crop at narrow row spacing of S1 (30-60-30 cm x 30 cm) over
Malam KV wider row spacing during individual years and on pooled data basis, which was found statistically at par
Ph.D. Scholar, Dept. of with S2 (i.e. 30-90-30 cm x 30 cm) during individual years as well as in pooled results. Significantly
Agronomy, Junagadh maximum plant population and plant height were noted when crop was sown at closer paired row spacing
Agricultural University, of S1 (30-60-30 cm x 30 cm) during individual years and in pooled results, accordingly. Bt cotton sown at
Junagadh, Gujarat, India wider spacing of 120cm x 45cm (S4) recorded maximum sympodial branches, Least number of
monopodial branches per plant, maximum number of bolls and boll weight during individual years and
Vasava MS on pooled data basis Fertilizing the crop with 125% RDN through fertigation (N3) in eight equal splits at
Micro Irrigation Research 15 days interval produced significantly superior in all growth, yield attributes and yield parameters.
Project, Dept. of Agronomy,
Junagadh Agricultural
Keywords: Bt cotton, high density planting, nitrogen levels
University, Junagadh, Gujarat,
India
Introduction
Chhodavadia SK Cotton the “White gold” is one of the most important commercial crop of India and accounts
Instructional Farm, Dept. of for the largest area 12.6 million hectare under cultivation. With the introduction of Bt cotton in
Agronomy, Junagadh
cultivation, resulting in quantum jump in production from 16 million bales to 33.0 million
Agricultural University,
Junagadh, Gujarat, India bales with productivity of 454 kg ha-1 (Anonymous, 2019) [1].
Water and fertilizer are the main limiting factors affecting the agricultural production in arid
and semi-arid regions. Application of fertilizers with irrigation water has several advantages.
By fertigation, the time and rate of fertilizer applied can be regulated precisely. Fertigation is
the most efficient method of fertilizers application, as it ensures application of water and
fertilizers directly to the plant roots leading to greater efficiency of application (Rajput and
Patel, 2006) [4]. Fertigation can save fertilizers by 50% and may increase the crop yield by 20-
30%. Dingre et al. (2012) [2] showed that drip fertigation resulted into 12 to 74% increase in
the productivity of onion seed as compared to conventional method. It has been reported that
efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers is 95% under drip fertigation compared to 30-50% under
soil application. The fertilizer use efficiency with fertigation can be increased to 95% for
nitrogen, 45% for phosphorus and 80% for potash.
Further improvement in cotton yields is possible only through change in agronomic
management and cropping system with Bt cotton. Cotton is grown at wider spacing of 120 x
120 cm to 90 x 90 cm with only 6944 to 12356 plants per hectare, which limit yields. Bt cotton
virtue of built in resistance to bollworms, retain higher number of bolls from early stages of
crop growth. Due to mobilization of nutrients to the developing bolls the vegetative growth is
restricted and the canopy size reduced, offering scope for planting cotton at higher planting
density with some genotypes. There is a positive relationship between plant population and
seed cotton yield. Optimum plant population is one of the factors for improving the yield per
unit area. Adoption of HDP along with good fertilizer management is a viable approach to
break the current trend of stagnating yields. The application of 100% nitrogen through drip
recorded significantly higher cotton yield. However, 75% nitrogen through drip and 100%
nitrogen through conventional method with surface irrigation recorded on par with saving 25%
nitrogen. Fertigation ensures saving in fertilizer (40-60%), due to better fertilizer use
efficiency and reduction in leaching (Kumar and Singh, 2002) [3]. Keeping this in view, an
Corresponding Author: experiment was planned to study the response of Bt cotton to high density planting and
Malam KV nitrogen levels through fertigation at Micro Irrigation Project, Instructional Farm, COA, JAU,
Ph.D. Scholar, Dept. of Junagadh.
Agronomy, Junagadh
Agricultural University,
Junagadh, Gujarat, India
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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry http://www.phytojournal.com

Material and Methods (2004) [18], Nehra et al. (2004) [19], Buttar and Singh (2006)
[20]
The field experiment was carried out during Kharif-Rabi , Singh et al. (2007) [21] and Giri et al. (2008) [22].
seasons of 2016-17 to 2018-19 at Micro Irrigation Research
Project, Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Junagadh  Growth and yield attributes
Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat). The area is Results presented in Table-3 revealed that growth attributes
situated in southern part of Gujarat, which falls under South viz., plant population and plant height were significantly
Saurashtra agro-climatic zone. It lies between the parallels of influenced by different row spacing. Closer paired row
20o51’ N latitudes and 70o31’ E longitudes with an average spacing of 30-60-30 cm x 30 cm (S1) noted significantly
elevation of 83 meters above mean sea level. maximum plant population of 64421, 63917, 64029 and
The field experiment was carried out to study the Response of 64122 during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and in pooled
Bt cotton to high density planting and nitrogen levels through results, respectively. In closer spacing increased plant
fertigation. The soil of experimental field was medium black population per unit area there may be competition for light
in texture, medium in available nitrogen, phosphorus and nutrients spaces and congestion in the growing induced more
potassium with slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.38). The net vertical growth through nodal elongation that restricted lateral
plot area of 4.50 m x 3.60 m. Twelve treatment combinations branching these results are in conformity with Dahipale et al.
consisted of four spacing viz., S1: 30-60-30 cm x 30 cm, (2012) [5], Deotalu et al. (2013) [6], Parlawar et al. (2017) [7].
S2:30-90-30 cm x 30 cm, S3:90 cm x 30 cm, S4:120 cm x 45 Significantly maximum plant height of 102.8, 73.6, 86.6 and
cm in paired row and three levels of nitrogen viz., N1: 75% 87.7 cm was recorded when Bt cotton was sown at closer
RDN, N2: 100% RDN and N3: 125% RDN were tested under paired row spacing of 30-60-30 cm x 30 cm during individual
split plot design with three replications. Bt cotton variety years and in pooled results, accordingly. The increase in
(Gujarat Cotton Hybrid-8 BG-II) was raised as per height at close row spacing could be due to competition for
recommended package of practices. During the experimental solar radiation, water and nutrient uptake among the plants
period, no infestation of serious pests and diseases were from thier the lower height recorded at 30-60-30 cm x 30 cm
observed. The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) for Bt might be due to suppression of apical dominance as against
cotton is @ 240-50-120 kg NPK/ha respectively. Phosphorus closer spacing. These results are in agreement with Ganvir et
and potash were applied through soil application as per RDF. al. (2013) [8] and Munir et al. (2015) [9, 12]. Data presented in
Nitrogen was given in 8 equal splits as basal and at 15 days Table-5 indicated that number of monopodial and sympodial
interval through fertigation. After cessation of rainfall branches were significantly influenced by various sowing
irrigation was applied before sowing and at 0.8 PFF through spacing. Bt cotton sown at wider spacing of 120cm x 45cm
drip. FYM 10 t/ha and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers as (S4) recorded maximum sympodial branches of 11.7, 11.1,
per treatments were applied. 11.3 and 11.4 during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and in
pooled results, respectively and it was found statistically on
Result and Discussion same bar with S3 (i.e. 90cm x 30cm) during 2016-17 and
Effect of spacing 2017-18 Availability of more space for lateral expansion of
 Seed cotton and stalk yields branches and chance to enhance auxiliary buds of plant as
The data furnished in Table-1 showed that different spacing compared to closer planted crops resulted in maximum
had significant effect on seed cotton and stalk yields. sympodial branches under wider spaced plants. These
Significantly maximum seed cotton yield of 2358, 1934, 2074 observations are in conformity with Bhalerao et al. (2008) [10]
and 2122 kg/ha was recorded when Bt cotton was sown at and Kalaichelvi (2009) [11]. Least number of monopodial
closer paired row spacing of 30-60-30cm x 30cm (S1) during branches per plant was observed under wider spacing of
2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and on pooled data basis, 120cm x 45cm (S4) and 90cm x 30cm (S3). Data given in
respectively which was found statistically at par with S2 (i.e. Table-6 indicated that different row spacing significantly
30-90-30 cm x 30 cm) during individual years as well as in affect the number of bolls and boll weight during individual
pooled results except seed cotton yield during 2018-19 and in years and on pooled data basis. Significantly maximum
pooled results. The per cent increase in seed cotton yield at number of bolls 22.8, 12.3, 15.4 and 16.8 was recorded under
closer spacing of 30-60-30 cm x 30cm (S1) was to the tune of wider row spacing of 120 cm x 45 cm during 2016-17, 207-
40.8, 58.5, 44.7 and 47.1% during individual years and in 18, 2018-19 and in pooled results, respectively.
pooled results, accordingly over wider row spacing of 120 cm Corresponding values of boll weight was 3.30, 3.35, 3.24 and
x 4 5cm (S4). Stalk yield of cotton also significantly 3.30g. More number of bolls plant-1 in wider spacings,
influenced by various row spading. Sowing of Bt cotton at because of substantial space available for growth, more
closer row spacing of 30-60-30cm x 30cm (S1) produced photosynthetic efficiency, frequent availability of water and
significantly higher stalk yield of 3631, 2225, 3475 and 3111 nutrients, less humidity for efficient control of insect pest
kg/ha during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and in pooled attack and boll saving from rottening, which resulted in
results, respectively and it was remained on same bar with S2 increase in fruiting points, fruiting period, fruit retention and
(i.e. 30-90-30 cm x 30 cm). Increase in stalk yield with ultimately more bolls plant-1 (Munir et al., 2015) [9, 12]. Similar
narrow row spacing of 30-60-30 cm x 30 cm over wider row result reported by Narayana et al. (2007) [13], Reddy and
spacing of 120-cm x 45cm was to the tune of 30.6, 67.2, 35.5 Gopinath (2008) [14] and Venugopalan et al. (2011) [15] are in
and 39.8% during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and in pooled agreement with the present results. A significant increase in
results, respectively. boll weight with increasing row spacing was reported by
Higher seed cotton yield per hectare was recorded under Devraj et al. (2011) [16]. This might be due to the higher
closer spacing of 30-60-30 cm x 30cm as compared to wider interception of solar radiation, better utilization of available
spacing. This might be due to higher values of yield attributes nutrients, lesser competition for moisture which resulted in
and ultimately produce more seed cotton yield and stalk yield. higher photosynthetic activity as reported by Sharma and
These findings corroborates the results of Sarkar and Malik Dungarwal (2003) [17].

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Effect of nitrogen levels fertigation (N3). The better performance of Bt cottons were
 Seed cotton and stalk yields ascribed to maximum number of bolls and maximum boll
Seed cotton and stalk yields of Bt cotton were significantly weight. Similar differences among Bt and non-Bt cotton
influenced by nitrogen levels during individual years as well hybrids were also reported from India by Nehra et al. (2004)
[19]
as in pooled results (Table-1). Fertilizing the crop with 125% , Singh et al. (2007) [21] and Yudhveer Singh et al. (2010)
[24]
RDN through fertigation (N3) in eight equal splits at 15 days .
interval produced significantly maximum seed cotton yield of
2287, 1716, 1848 and 1950 kg ha-1 during 2016-17, 2017-18, Quality parameters
2018-19 and in pooled results, respectively which was closely Data on quality parameters are furnished in Table-8 revealed
followed by N2 (i.e. 100% RDN) and found statistically on that various quality parameters viz., upper half mean length
same bar during 2017-18 and 2018-19. The per cent increase (UHML), uniformity index (UI), micro naire (MIC MV),
in seed cotton yield with the application of 125% of RDN tenacity and fibre elongation were not significantly influenced
over 75% RDN was to the tune of 24.6, 16.6, 18.9 and 20.4% by sowing spacing and nitrogen levels except, micro naire
during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and in pooled results, which was maximum under wider sowing spacing of 120 cm
accordingly. Similarly, significantly higher stalk yield of x 45 cm (S4).
3589, 1979, 3264 and 2944 kg ha-1 was produced when Bt
cotton was fertilized with 125% RDN through fertigation (N3) Interaction effect
through fertigation in eight equal splits at 15 days interval and Interaction effect between spacing and nitrogen levels found
which remained statistically at par with N2 (i.e. 100% RDN) significant for seed cotton yield during 2018-19 and stalk
during 2018-19. Per cent increase in stalk yield with 125% yield during 2016-17 and 2017-18 (Table-2). Maximum seed
RDN through fertigation over 75% RDN was to the tune of cotton yield of 2271 kg/ha during 2018-19 and stalk yield of
37.2, 26.2, 12.9 and 24.8% during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 4530 and 2350 kg/ha during 2016-17 and 2017-18,
in in pooled results, respectively. respectively was recorded when Bt cotton was sown at closer
Application of fertilizer nutrients through irrigation systems spacing of 30-60-30cm x 30cm along with the application of
(fertigation) has been found to increases seed and stalk yields 125% RDN through fertigation (S1N3) and it was remained
of cotton and nutrient uptake by researchers in Syria (Janat statistically at par with S1N2 for seed cotton yield and S1N2
and Somi, 2001; Janat, 2004) [26, 25], Texas (Enciso-Medina et and S2N3 for stalk yield during 2017-18. Data given in Table-4
al., 2007) [27] and India (Thind et al., 2008) [28]. Irrigation revealed that interaction between spacing and nitrogen level
systems permit multiple small dose fertilizer injections at was also found significant for plant height during 2017-18
different intervals, reducing the risk of leaching compared to and in pooled results. Significantly tallest plant was produced
fertilizers applied in a single application when Bt cotton was sown at closer spacing of 30-60-30cm x
30cm and crop was fertilized with 125% RDN through
Growth and yield attributes fertigation (S1N3). Results presented in Table-7 showed that
The data furnished in Table-3 indicated that different nitrogen interaction effect between spacing and nitrogen was also
levels that growth attributes viz., plant population and plant found significant for number of bolls during 2018-19 and boll
height were significantly influenced by different nitrogen weight during 2018-19 and on pooled basis. Significantly
levels. 125% RDN through fertigation (N3) noted significantly higher number of bolls and boll weight were recorded when
maximum plant population of 43569, 43537, 44008 and crop was sown at wider spacing of 120cm x 45cm along with
43705 during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and in pooled the application of 125% RDN (S4N3) and it was comparable
results, respectively. Significantly maximum plant height of with S4N2, S3N3 and S2N3.
101.7, 73.8, 82.2 and 85.9cm was noted when Bt cotton was
fertilized with 125% of RDN through fertigation in eight Economics
equal splits at 15days interval during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018- Economics was worked out by using current market prices of
19 and on pooled results basis, respectively and which was on produce and inputs used (Table-9). The mean data of three
same bar with N2 (i.e. 100% RDN) during 2018-19. The years indicated that maximum gross (Rs. 101696/ha) and net
increase in plant height was associated with increased returns (Rs. 60132/ha) with B:C ratio of 2.45, were obtained
internodes length. Jat et al. (2014) reported similar results. when Bt cotton was sown at closer spacing of 30-60-30cm x
Number of monopodial and sympodia branches per plant were 30cm (S1) which was closely followed by S2 (i.e. 30-90-30cm
significantly influenced by nitrogen levels (Table-5). x 30cm ) with recording gross and net returns of Rs. 90679
Significantly minimum monopodial branches and maximum and Rs. 52805/ha along with B:C ratio of 2.39, accordingly.
sympodial branches per plant were observed when Bt cotton Fertilizing the Bt cotton with 125% RDN (i.e. N3-300kg
was fertilized with 125% RDN through fertigation (N3) during N/ha) gave maximum gross (Rs. 93627/ha) and net returns
each individual years and in pooled results. Number of bolls (Rs. 54819/ha) along with B:C ratio of 2.41, which was
and boll weight were significantly influenced by nitrogen followed by N2 (i.e. 100% RDN).
levels (Table-6). Maximum number of bolls of 21.3, 12.4,
14.5 and 16.0 were produced when Bt cotton was fertilized Conclusion
with 125% of RDN through fertigation in eight equal splits at On the basis of the results obtained from the present three-
15 days interval during individual years and in pooled results, year field study, it could be concluded that significantly
respectively and it was remained statistically at par with N2 higher seed cotton yield of Bt cotton with higher net return
(i.e. 100% RDN) during 2017-18 and 2018-19. Significantly can be obtained by growing Bt cotton at 30-60-30 cm x 30 cm
maximum boll weight of 3.43, 3.38, 3.25 and 3.35g during paired row spacing and fertilized with 125% RDN through
2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and in pooled results, respectively drip fertigation on medium black calcareous soil of South
were noted when Bt cotton fertilized with 125% RDN through Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone of Gujarat.

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Table 1: Influence of spacing and nitrogen on seed cotton and stalk yields of Bt cotton
Seed cotton Yield (kg/ha) Stalk yield (kg/ha)
Treatments
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Pooled 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Pooled
Spacing
S1- 30-60-30 cm x 30cm 2358 1934 2074 2122 3631 2225 3475 3111
S2-30-90-30cm x 30cm 2188 1667 1805 1887 3292 2104 3295 2897
S3-90cm x 30cm 2011 1507 1602 1707 2827 1500 3064 2463
S4-120cm x 45cm 1674 1220 1433 1443 2779 1331 2565 2225
S.Em. ± 80.28 82.72 59.83 37.49 178.05 62.87 116.6 64.06
CD at 5% 277.79 286.26 207.06 128.63 616.15 217.6 403.4 219.78
CV% 11.70 15.69 10.39 12.57 17.05 10.54 11.28 14.37
Nitrogen levels
N1-75% RDN 1836 1471 1554 1620 2616 1568 2891 2358
N2-100% RDN 2050 1560 1783 1798 3191 1823 3144 2719
N3-125% RDN 2287 1716 1848 1950 3589 1979 3264 2944
S.Em.± 59.59 55.84 46.12 31.26 75.51 39.84 99.58 43.72
CD at 5% 178.66 167.41 138.26 88.90 226.37 119.5 298.6 124.33
CV % 10.03 12.23 9.24 10.48 8.35 7.71 11.13 9.81
S x N interaction
S.Em. ± 119.19 111.68 92.24 62.53 151.02 79.68 199.17 87.45
CD at 5% NS NS 276.52 NS 452.75 238.9 NS NS

Table 2: Interaction effect of spacing and nitrogen on seed cotton and stalk yield of cotton
SxN Seed cotton yield 2018-19 (kg/ha) Stalk yield 2016-17 (kg/ha) Stalk yield 2017-18 (kg/ha)
S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4
N1 1768 1856 1301 1293 2910 2817 2415 2322 2059 2006 1041 1165
N2 2183 1644 1756 1551 3454 3339 2969 3004 2267 2177 1443 1404
N3 2271 1916 1749 1455 4530 3720 3098 3011 2350 2128 2016 1423
S.Em. ± 92.24 151.0 79.7
CD at 5% 276.5 452.7 238.9

Table 3: Influence of spacing and nitrogen on plant population and plant height of Bt cotton
Plant height
Plant population
Treatments (cm)
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Pooled 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Pooled
Spacing
S1- 30-60-30 cm x 30cm 64421 63917 64029 64122 102.8 73.6 86.6 87.7
S2-30-90-30cm x 30cm 48599 48795 49309 48901 95.4 70.8 80.1 82.1
S3-90cm x 30cm 32796 32432 32628 32619 94.0 68.4 76.2 79.5
S4-120cm x 45cm 24809 24498 24538 24615 91.3 64.4 73.5 76.4
S.Em. ± 162 256 404 146 2.20 1.66 2.01 0.98
CD at 5% 559 884 1399 500 7.62 5.75 6.95 3.38
CV% 1.14 1.81 2.85 2.05 6.89 7.19 7.62 7.26
Nitrogen levels
N1-75% RDN 41859 41097 40965 41307 89.2 67.0 75.5 77.2
N2-100% RDN 42541 42597 42905 42681 96.8 67.2 79.6 81.2
N3-125% RDN 43569 43537 44008 43705 101.7 73.8 82.2 85.9
S.Em.± 232 220 196 125 1.12 1.52 1.45 0.79
CD at 5% 695 659 589 355 3.35 4.57 4.35 2.26
CV % 1.88 1.79 1.60 1.76 4.04 7.62 6.35 5.85
S x N interaction
S.Em. ± 463 439 393 250 2.23 3.05 2.90 1.59
CD at 5% NS NS NS NS NS 9.14 NS 4.52

Table 4: Interaction effect of spacing and nitrogen on plant height of cotton during 2017-18 and on pooled basis
Plant height- 2017-18 (cm) Plant height –Pooled basis (cm)
SxN
S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4
N1 64.8 69.7 66.0 67.5 80.1 81.6 82.1 82.1
N2 70.0 68.5 67.3 63.0 85.8 86.4 74.4 74.4
N3 86.1 74.3 72.0 62.8 97.1 76.1 76.9 76.9
S.Em. ± 3.05 1.59
CD at 5% 9.14 4.52

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Table 5: Influence of spacing and nitrogen on no. of monopodia and sympodia of Bt cotton
No. of monopodia No. of sympodia
Treatments
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Pooled 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Pooled
Spacing
S1- 30-60-30 cm x 30cm 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.6 9.8 8.6 9.4 9.2
S2-30-90-30cm x 30cm 2.4 2.5 2.1 2.3 10.1 9.9 9.5 9.8
S3-90cm x 30cm 2.2 2.1 1.9 2.0 11.6 10.0 10.4 10.7
S4-120cm x 45cm 2.2 1.9 2.0 2.0 11.7 11.1 11.3 11.4
S.Em. ± 0.18 0.16 0.13 0.08 0.40 0.30 0.17 0.15
CD at 5% NS NS NS 0.27 1.37 1.03 0.60 0.52
CV% 22.34 21.46 19.11 21.20 11.01 9.02 5.11 8.83
Nitrogen levels
N1-75% RDN 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.7 9.7 9.3 9.4 9.5
N2-100% RDN 2.4 2.2 2.0 2.2 10.5 9.8 10.1 10.2
N3-125% RDN 1.9 2.0 1.7 1.9 12.1 10.6 10.9 11.2
S.Em.± 0.13 0.07 0.11 0.06 0.28 0.12 0.11 0.11
CD at 5% 0.40 0.20 0.34 0.18 0.85 0.37 0.33 0.31
CV % 19.58 10.14 18.69 16.70 9.15 4.37 3.80 6.43
S x N interaction
S.Em. ± 0.27 0.13 0.22 0.13 0.57 0.25 0.22 0.22
CD at 5% NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS

Table 6: Influence of spacing and nitrogen on no. of bolls and boll weight of Bt cotton on
No. of bolls plant-1 Boll weight (g)
Treatments
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Pooled 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Pooled
Spacing
S1- 30-60-30 cm x 30cm 16.6 9.9 9.9 12.2 2.77 2.83 2.89 2.83
S2-30-90-30cm x 30cm 16.8 9.2 12.0 12.7 3.09 3.23 3.08 3.13
S3-90cm x 30cm 21.7 11.7 12.3 15.2 3.16 3.29 3.19 3.21
S4-120cm x 45cm 22.8 12.3 15.4 16.8 3.30 3.35 3.24 3.30
S.Em. ± 1.41 0.59 0.53 0.47 0.10 0.70 0.70 0.04
CD at 5% 4.88 2.03 1.84 1.60 0.34 0.24 0.24 0.14
CV% 21.75 16.33 12.83 19.70 9.67 6.68 6.84 7.83
Nitrogen levels
N1-75% RDN 18.0 9.0 10.5 12.5 2.77 2.96 2.96 2.90
N2-100% RDN 19.2 11.0 12.2 14.1 3.04 3.18 3.08 3.10
N3-125% RDN 21.3 12.4 14.5 16.0 3.43 3.38 3.25 3.35
S.Em.± 0.82 0.48 0.38 0.34 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.03
CD at 5% 2.45 1.42 1.13 0.97 0.19 0.15 0.14 0.09
CV % 14.57 15.25 10.50 14.32 7.13 5.54 5.29 6.03
S x N interaction
S.Em. ± 1.64 0.95 0.75 0.68 0.13 0.10 0.09 0.06
CD at 5% NS NS 2.26 NS NS NS 0.28 0.18

Table 7: Interaction effect of spacing and nitrogen on no. of bolls and boll weight
Boll weight (2018-19) Boll weight (Pooled basis)
SxN No. of bolls (2018-19)
(g) (g)
S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4
N1 7.7 11.1 10.1 13.3 2.51 3.04 3.18 3.14 2.46 3.11 3.41 3.41
N2 8.5 12.6 11.8 15.9 3.06 2.99 3.18 3.10 2.96 3.32 3.06 3.06
N3 13.5 12.4 15.1 17.0 3.10 3.21 3.21 3.49 3.07 3.11 3.20 3.20
S.Em. ± 0.75 0.09 0.06
CD at 5% 2.26 0.28 0.18

Table 8: Influence of spacing and nitrogen on quality parameters of Bt cotton

Upper half mean length Uniformity index MIC MV Tenacity Elongation
Treatments
(mm) (%) (micro naire) (μg/inch) (g/tex)
Spacing
S1- 30-60-30 cm x 30cm 26.31 85.33 4.52 24.73 5.34
S2-30-90-30cm x 30cm 26.67 85.11 4.29 24.97 5.32
S3-90cm x 30cm 26.63 84.67 4.46 25.14 5.29
S4-120cm x 45cm 26.32 84.33 4.48 24.50 5.23
S.Em. ± 0.17 0.54 0.04 0.33 0.10
CD at 5% NS NS 0.15 NS NS
CV% 1.98 1.89 3.03 3.99 5.73
Nitrogen levels
N1-75% RDN 26.44 85.17 4.48 24.69 5.29
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N2-100% RDN 26.43 84.17 4.43 24.73 5.28

N3-125% RDN 26.58 85.25 4.39 25.08 5.32
S.Em.± 0.27 0.68 0.07 0.24 0.05
CD at 5% NS NS NS NS NS
CV % 3.59 2.79 5.10 3.31 3.15
S x N interaction
S.Em. ± 0.55 1.37 0.13 0.48 0.10
CD at 5% NS NS NS NS NS

Table 9: Economics of different treatments in Bt cotton (Average of three years)

Seed cotton Gross Total cost of Net B:C
Treatments
Yield (kg/ha) Realization (Rs./ha) Cultivation (Rs./ha) realization (Rs./ha) ratio
Spacing
S1 2122 101696 41564 60132 2.45
S2 1887 90679 37874 52805 2.39
S3 1707 81711 38986 42725 2.10
S4 1443 69355 35296 34059 1.96
S.Em.± 37.49
CD at 5% 128.63
Nitrogen levels
N1 1620 77628 38052 39576 2.04
N2 1798 86327 38430 47897 2.25
N3 1950 93627 38808 54819 2.41
S.Em.± 31.26
CD at 5% 88.90
Selling price: Seed cotton Rs. 45.0/kg, Stalk Rs.2.0/kg

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