Effect of fertigation on soil nutrients, chemical properties and yield of Bt. cotton

The plant height, leaf area, number of bolls per plant, monopodial and sympodial branches were higher in the paired row planting with 125 per cent recommended dose of water soluble fertilizers. The mobility of nutrients was comparatively higher due to the use of water soluble fertilizers (WSF) as compared to conventional fertilizers (CF). The available Nand K moved in soil, 30 cm laterally and vertically while available P moved upto 15 cm in those directions from the emitter. The availability of N, P and K was significantly influenced by the treatments, indicating increase in availability of nutrients due to water soluble fertilizers, resulting into 61.66 and 55.18 per cent higher seed cotton and cotton seed yield, respectively than conventional method of irrigation and fertilizer application. Similarly, the yield of seed cotton and cotton seed was higher in WSF than CF (17.77 and 16.53 per cent, respectively). Application of 75 per cent RD of fertilizer through water soluble fertilizer could produce more yield than surface irrigation with 100 per cent RD through conventional fertilizers. It can be concluded that 25 per cent of fertilizer saving could be achieved with paired row planting of Bt. cotton (0.75–1.5 x 0.75 m) with the application of water soluble fertilizer through drip irrigation.