Effect of method of planting and crop geometry on productivity of rainfed upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) grown in lowland rice (Oryza sativa) fallows

A field experiment was conducted during late winter (rabi) seson of 1998–99 and 1999–2000 at Nimpith, to study the effect of planting method and crop geometry on productivity of rainfed upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in lowland rice fallows. Transplanting of cotton performed better than direct sowing when the crop was sown during the second fortnight of December after harvest of winter rice (Oryza sativa L). Transplanting of cotton improved the growth, yield attributes, and gave 16 5 and 12 7% higher seed-cotton and lint yield, respectively, compared to direct seeding of cotton. Transplanting of cotton increased net returns and per day productivity by 22.5 and 16 9%, respectively, over the direct seeding. Crop geometry showed significant impact on productivity of cotton. Intermediate inter-row spacing of 60 cm gave higher values of growth and yield attributes and recorded 7.9 and 11.1% higher seed-cotton yield over both the narrower and wider inter-row spacing of 45 cm and 75 cm respectively. Similarly, intermediate plant-to-plant spacing of 45 cm improved the growth and yield attributes and yield of cotton; and resulted in higher seed-cotton yield by 5.6 and 18.9% over the narrower and wider spacing of 30 and 60cm respectively. Intermediate inter- and intra-row spacing of 60 and 45 cm, respectively, proved most beneficial for cotton cultivation in terms of monetary returns as well.