Impact of coated fertilizer on growth and quality parameter of Bt cotton

Abstract

A field trial was conducted during the Kharif season of 2020-21 at the Research Farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, VNMKV, Parbhani, to evaluate the impact of coated fertilizers on growth and quality parameters of Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Coated fertilizers, formulated for controlled and gradual nutrient release, were compared with conventional straight and non-coated fertilizers. The experiment comprised nine treatments, including control, full recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), and reduced RDF levels applied through both coated and non-coated fertilizer grades. Results revealed that coated fertilizers significantly enhanced plant growth, including plant height, number of monopodial and sympodial branches, and SPAD values. Treatment T3, which received full RDF (120:60:60 kg NPK ha⁻¹) through a coated fertilizer blend enriched with macro- and micronutrients (N:P₂O₅:K₂O:S:Mg:Zn:B - 11:23:10:4:1.9:0.4:0.2), recorded the highest plant height (132.69 cm), monopodial branches (4.18), sympodial branches (23.86), and SPAD values. T3 also achieved superior fiber quality, with the highest ginning percentage (40.80%), lint index (5.93), staple length (26.60 mm), and seed index (8.60 g).Even with reduced RDF levels, treatments T5 and T7 (75% and 50% RDF through coated fertilizers, respectively) outperformed their non-coated counterparts in both growth and quality parameters. This underscores the efficiency of coated fertilizers in improving nutrient use efficiency and sustaining cotton productivity with reduced inputs.