Production potential and economics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) hybrids under different plant spacing and NPK levels

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2008–09 to evaluate the production potential and economics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) hybrids under different plant spacing and NPK levels. A closure spacing (60 cm × 60 cm) exhibited its superiority by recording higher sympodial branches/plant (16.4), lint yield (345 kg/ha) and seed-cotton yield (910 kg/ha), whereas bolls picked/plant (12.9) and seed-cotton yield/plant (38.2 g) were higher under wider spacing (90 cm × 60 cm). Among hybrids, ‘MLCH 318’ gave significantly higher number of sympodial branches/plant (15.8), bolls picked/plant (14.7), seed-cotton yield/plant (42.1 g), lint yield (407 kg/ha) and seed-cotton yield (1034 kg/ha) than ‘PKV Hy2’ and ‘VBCH 2231’. The maximum values of yield attributes, viz. sympodial branches (16.1), bolls picked/plant (13.3) and seed-cotton yield/plant (39.7 g), which resulted significantly higher lint yield (393 kg/ha) and seed-cotton yield (972 kg/ha) under the highest fertility levels of 62.50, 31.25 and 31.25 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O/ha over rest of NPK levels. The higher gross returns and net returns associated significantly with ‘MLCH 318’ ( 28,238 and 14,322/ha) when sown at 60 cm × 60 cm plant spacing ( 24,679 and 10,618/ha) with the highest fertility levels of 62.50, 31.25 and 31.25 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O/ha ( 24,206 and 10,134/ha), respectively, and coincided with the highest benefit: cost ratio. Harvest index did not influence by the plant spacing, hybrids and NPK levels.