Science Letters

Improving the Productivity of Bt Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Through Integrated Plant Nutrient Management

Maqshoof Ahmad 1*, Moazzam Jamil 1, Zubair Ahmad 1, Muhammad Ali Kharal 1, Abid Niaz 2, Muhammad Iqbal 1, Muhammad Fakhar-u-Zaman Akhtar 1, Muhammad Latif 1

1 University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

2 Soil Chemistry Section, Institute of Soil Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Cotton is an important cash crop of Pakistan and it is very popular among the farmers' community of southern Punjab, especially the Bahawalpur area. According to National data, both zinc and boron are more deficient micronutrients in the soils of Pakistan. Farmers apply fertilizers in haphazard manners without any recommendation and they have very little know-how about the role of micronutrients, especially boron and zinc on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). A field experiment was conducted to determine the response of cotton to boron and zinc applications along with NPK in the soils of southern Punjab to increase the quality, growth and yield of cotton. The results showed that the integrated use of micro and macronutrients caused a significant improvement in growth, yield, nutrient uptake and fiber quality of the cotton crop. Maximum improvement in plant height (61%), boll diameter (75%), number of bolls plant-1 (100%), and fiber strength (11%) was observed in T8 where boron @ 2 kg/ha and zinc @ 5 kg/ha were applied along with recommended dose of NPK. The T8 also significantly improved the nutritional status (51, 75, 40%, 94%, and 72% increase in N, P, K, Zn and B contents) and yield of cotton (44% and 48% increase in lint yield and cotton seed yield, respectively) as compared to unfertilized control. It is concluded that boron @ 2 kg/ha and zinc @ 5 kg/ha should also be applied in combination with macronutrients for sustainable production of Bt cotton.

Keyword Bt-cotton, fiber quality, integrated, productivity, growth, nutrient, management.

Received October 30, 2015 Accepted January 15, 2016 Abstract Published February 06, 2016 Manuscript Published April 15, 2016

*Corresponding author Maqshoof Ahmad E-mail maqshoof_ahmad@yahoo.com