Micronutrients Spray on Yield and Economics of Cotton in Rainfed Areas of Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh

Demonstrations were conducted at farmers fields in Pasupugallu (Mundlamuru mandal) and Tanamchintalaand Bandiveligandla (Darsi mandal) during Kharif 2016–17 to 2018–19 on 4.0 ha area during each year to study the effect of micronutrient management in cotton. Under demonstration, treatments consisted of spraying of MgSo₄ @ 10 g/l(45 and 75 d), ZnSo₄ @ 2 g/lat 4-5d interval at 45 DAS and Boron @ 1.5 g/l (60 and 90 d) and compared with control plot without using micronutrients. The results showed that application of micronutrients significantly improved yield and cost to benefit ratio in cotton. Under demonstration, pooled average yield was 10.9q/ha with B: C ration of 0.70 whereas, under control plot pooled average yield was 9.1q/ha with B: C ratio of 0.62. Hence, application of micronutrients reduced flower and boll drop and increased returns to farmers.