Plant spacing and nitrogen affects growth and yield of cotton

Abstract

Selection of suitable agronomic practices like plant density and nitrogen management have a significant effect on overall crop growth and final output in terms of yield. An experiment with three plant spacing (21 cm, 27 cm, and 33 cm) and four nitrogen levels (0(control), 55, 110, and 165 kg ha-1) were conducted in a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement at Agronomy Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar during summer 2015. Results showed a significant effect (P≤0.05) of both plant spacing and nitrogen rates on number of monopodial and sympodial branches per plant, plant height, number of opened bolls per plant, main stem nodes per plant, and seed cotton yield per hectare. Taller plants were recorded with 21 cm plant spacing. Higher values for the rest of the studied traits were recorded with 33 cm plant spacing and in case of nitrogen maximum values were recorded with nitrogen applied at the rate of 165 kg ha-1. For achieving higher cotton it is recommended to sow cotton crop with plant to plant distance of 33 cm along with application of N at the rate of 165 kg ha-1.