Effect of different spacing and fertilizer levels on growth and yield of different varieties of desi cotton

A field experiment was carried out at Bathinda during kharif, 2013 to evaluate two varieties of cotton planted at 3 different spacing and given 3 different level of fertilizer doses. The maximum plant height, monopodial and sympodial branches/plant of desi cotton were recorded with LD-949, alongwith maximum bolls/plant, boll weight and seed cotton yield. The planting of desi-cotton crop at 67.5× 60 cm resulted in significantly more number of sympodial branches/plant as compared to 67.5 × 30 cm and 67.5 × 45 cm. The maximum bolls/plant of desi cotton were recorded with spacing of 67.5 × 60 cm which was significantly more than 67.5 × 30 cm and at par with 67.5× 45 cm. Planting desi cotton crop at 67.5× 60 cm resulted in more boll weight and seed cotton yield which was at par to 67.5× 30 cm and 67.5× 45 cm. All growth parameters increased with increase in nitrogen level from 75 to 125% of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF). LD-949 is a superior variety than FDK 124 when planted at 67.5 x 60 cm spacing and with 25% higher fertilizer doses than the RDF levels of NP and K fertilizers.