Nitrogen Management in Cotton Through Drip Irrigation

Field experiments were carried out during 1993–94 and 1994–95 to study the effect of varying levels of nitrogen application through drip irrigation on yield, quality, nutrient uptake, water use and fertilizer use efficiencies of cotton grown on Parbhani clay soil (Vertisol). The application of 100 kg N ha⁻¹ through drip irrigation produced significantly higher seed cotton yield over rest of the treatments including conventional soil application method. The yield obtained with 75 kg N ha⁻¹ through drip was comparable with the 100 kg N ha⁻¹ through conventional method, thereby indicating saving of 25 kg N ha⁻¹ through drip irrigation. The lint quality was improved, water use and nitrogen use efficiencies were increased with nitrogen application through drip. The availability of nutrients such as N, P and K and their uptake by cotton plant were increased with nitrogen applied through drip irrigation.