Effect of Potassium Application and Moisture Conservation Practices on Yield of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of potassium application and moisture conservation practices on yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) at the farm of AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Akola (Maharashtra). There were eight treatment combinations: two treatments on potash application i.e. potash application @ 20 kg ha⁻¹ and no potash application, combined with four moisture conservation practices i.e. opening of furrow after every two rows, thinning 25 per cent plant population, crop residue mulch and combination of these three treatments. The experiment was laid out is a randomized block with two factors. The treatments were replicated three times. All the treatments were imposed in standing crop at 35 to 40 days after sowing of the crop, with the object of efficient management of available soil moisture during the monsoon break and/or post monsoon period as the crop duration left was about 70 to 80 days even after withdrawal of monsoon in this region. Pooled results revealed that the seed cotton yield due to potash application and no potash treatment could not reach the level of significance. However, the cultural practices significantly influenced the seed cotton yield. It was also observed that the seed cotton yield due to opening of furrow after every two rows of crop and spreading of crop residue mulch 35 to 40 days after sowing were statistically at par but significantly superior over thinning and combination of all the three practices. Results have clearly brought out that, for managing the soil moisture in the standing crop of cotton during the expected break in monsoon and during the remaining period of about 70 days crop after withdrawal of monsoon, the crop residue mulch should be spread or furrows should be opened after every two rows of cotton at 35 to 40 days after sowing.