Plant Geometry and Nutrient Levels on Productivity of BT Cotton

A field investigation entitled "Effect of plant geometry and nutrient levels on productivity of Bt cotton" was conducted during kharif season of 2009-10 at AICRP for dryland agriculture, Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani. 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 are 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 reco