Impact of soil depth and management on performance of Bt cotton in Alfisols

Abstract

On farm trials were conducted for three consecutive years (2013 to 2016) under rain fed conditions in Basavanagiri A and B haadi of H. D. Kote, Karnataka, to compare performance of different Bt cotton hybrids in red soils consisted of shallow, medium deep and deep soils with best management practice (BMP) and farmer’s practice (FP). Results revealed that seed cotton yields were increased with soil depth. Hybrid Bahubali produced higher number of bolls per plant (38.2) and Minerva recorded maximum boll weight (4.1g). Highest seed cotton yield (9.7qha-1) was associated with BMP. Among interactions, hybrids performed better in the deep soils with BMP. Yield differences between soils and hybrids were greater due to soil conditions and genotypic effect respectively. Growing of bt cotton hybrids in deep red soils with BMP found more productive for Southern transition zone of Karnataka plateau.