International Journal of Agricultural

Science and Research (IJASR)

ISSN(P): 2250-0057; ISSN(E): 2321-0087
Vol. 6, Issue 3, Jun 2016, 365-370
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

EFFECT OF MOISTURE CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES AND

FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT ON YIELD AND UPTAKE OF COTTON
UNDER HIGH DENSITY PLANTING SYSTEM
P. W. DESHMUKH, V. D. INGLE, A. N. PASLAWAR, S. M. BHOYAR,
S. P. NANDAPURE & A. S. DEOTALU
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao
Deshmukh Krishi Vidhyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India
ABSTRACT
A field experimentwas conducted during kharif season of 2013-2014 at Cotton Research Unit, Central
Research Station, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, to study the effect of moisture
conservation techniques and fertilizer management on yield and uptake of cotton under high density planting system.
The experiment comprised of two factors, moisture conservation techniques and nutrient management. Moisture
conservation techniques were opening of furrows, mulching with sunhempafter 30 DAS and flat bed sowing, while
and 125% RDF + Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1. Twelve treatment combinations with four replications were executed in split plot
design. The results of the experiment revealed that the mulching with sunhemp after 30 DAS and 125% RDF
(75:37.5:37.5 NPK kg ha-1) + Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1 recorded higher cotton stalk, seed cotton yield and higher nutrient
uptake of N, P, K, S and Znby Cotton.
KEYWORDS: Moisture Conservation, Fertilizer Management, High Density Planting, Yield, Uptake of Nutrients

Original Article

nutrient management comprised of 100 % RDF (60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1), 100% RDF + Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1, 125% RDF

Received: Apr 27, 2016; Accepted: May 17, 2016; Published: May 24, 2016; Paper Id.: IJASRJUN2016044

INTRODUCTION
Vidarbha region in Maharashtra comprises 11 districts. Rural population of the region is dependent on
agriculture. The productivity in this region is comparatively less than the state and national averages. Cotton
farming, mostly rainfed cotton farming is the backbone of the farmers in this region. An estimated 15.47 lakh ha is
under cotton production in Vidarbha. However, with about 400-600 mm of annual rainfall and very limited
irrigation facilities at disposal, cotton farmers are often exposed to higher risks that many a times result in loss of
income. Besides low rainfall condition and scarcity of irrigation, lack of micronutrients in soil, frequent pest
attacks and other physical characteristics of this region result in lower productivity of cotton farming.
In India, Maharashtra rank first with 38.72 lakh ha area covered by cotton crop with average productivity
of 356.0 kg lint ha-1, which is lowest as compared to national average of 540 kg lint ha-1. In Maharashtra, Vidarbha
is the largest cotton growing region accounting for 15.74 lakh ha with production of 29.0 lakh bales and
productivity 305 kg lint ha-1. (Anonymous, 2013-14). Cotton varieties required more appropriate plant density and
fertilizer doses for better yield under rainfed conditions, knowledge of an adequate plant density and fertilizer not
only save the investment of costly input during cultivation, but also enhance the production through efficient

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366

P. W. Deshmukh, V. D. Ingle, A. N. Paslawar,

S. M. Bhoyar, S. P. Nandapure & A. S. Deotalu

utilization of input. Besides this, plant growth and dry matter yield per plant also influenced by Cotton varieties under
different plant geometry and levels of fertilizer. As such the information on high density planting by using suitable
techniques of moisture conservation with optimum fertilizer dose rainfed cotton growing areas in shallow soils is lacking.
Such information is very useful for exploiting full potential of cotton variety, which can be suitable for high density
planting to boost up the yield levels, to improve the soil physical, chemical and biological status of shallow soil as well as
to reduce the cost of cultivation under rainfed condition. In this view,an attempt has been made to explore the response of
suitable moisture conservation method with optimal fertilizer level along with application of deficient micronutrient for
higher cotton seed production, improvement of soil fertility status, better fertilizer use efficiency under rainfed condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present investigation was undertaken at Cotton Research Unit, Central Research Station, Dr. Panjabrao
Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (M.S.) during kharif season of 2013-2014.The experimental soil was developed on
basaltic platue on plain land and classified as Inceptisol. The morphological characteristic of the soil is medium deep, clay
in texture. The initial soil samples were analyzed and found the soil was neutral in reaction, bulk density of soil was 1.39
Mg m-3. The soil available nitrogen was 161 kg ha-1, phosphorus was 16.01 kg ha-1, potassium was 396 kg ha-1 and
sulphur16.22 mg kg-1 with DTPA extractable Zinc 0.40 mg kg-1. The experiment comprised of two factors involving
moisture conservation techniques and nutrient management. Under moisture conservation techniques,three treatments
comprised of opening of furrows (at 30 to 40 DAS), mulching with sunhemp(at 30 DAS)and flat bed sowing. In nutrient
management 100% RDF (60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1), 100% RDF (60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1) + Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1, 125% RDF
(75:37.5:37.5 NPK kg ha-1), 125% RDF(75:37.5:37.5 NPK kg ha-1) + Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1. The twelve treatments
combinations were executed in split plot design with four replications.
The Cotton (AKH-081) crop was sown in June, 2013 the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) was 60:30:30 kg
-1

NPK ha , nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc were applied in the form of urea, single super phosphate, murate of
potash and zinc sulphate, respectively. Treatment wise basal doses (half nitrogen and full phosphorus and potassium) of
fertilizers were applied at the time of sowing and remaining half dose of nitrogen was applied one month after emergence
of cotton by broadcasting method. Total three pickings were taken up as a part of harvesting of Cotton.
Soil bulk Density was determined by clod coating method,pH and EC measured by using Jackson (1967). While,
Available nitrogen by alkaline potassium permanganate method (Subbiah and Asija, 1956), Available phosphorus by
Olsens method, potassium by flame photometer, sulphur byTurbidimetric method (Jackson, 1967). Available zinc
determined by using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Lindsay and Norvell, 1978).
Treatment wise plant samples were collected at 50% boll brustingstage to record the seed cotton and cotton stalk yield.
Similarly same samples were analysis for total nitrogen by Micro-Kjeldahls method, total phosphorus by
Vanadomolybdate yellow colour method, total potassium by flame photometer, total sulphur by turbidimetric method and
total zinc content by AAS using di-acid extract (Jackson, 1973). The data were analyzed of variance of split plot design as
suggested by Panse and Sukhatme (1985).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Effect of Various Treatments on Stalk and Seed Yield of Cotton

Moisture Conservation Techniques

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.7987

NAAS Rating: 3.53

Effect of Moisture Conservation Techniques and Fertilizer Management on

Yield and Uptake of Cotton Under High Density Planting System

367

The cotton stalk and seed cotton yield as influenced byvarious conservation techniquesis presented in Table 1 and
depicted in figure 1. The maximum cotton stalk yield (61.79 qha-1) and seed cotton yield (31.25 q ha-1)respectively was
influenced with M2 technique i.e. mulching with sunhemp at 30 DAS followed by opening of furrows at 30 to 40 DAS
techniques. The lowest cotton stalk yield and seed cotton yield were noted by flat bed method. However, the results were
non significant. The good growth of the plants due to decomposed organic matter added in soil through sunhemp leads to
the proper aeration of roots and availability of moisture and nutrients. The results were in confirmation with the results
obtained by Gildnawaret. al. (1992)and Moola and Giri (2006).

Nutrient Management
The significantly higher cotton stalk yield (61.35 q ha-1) and seed cotton yield (32.35 q ha-1) respectively were

recorded by the fertilizer application with 125% RDF (75:37.5:37.5 NPK kg ha-1) + Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1 (F4). The lower
cotton stalk and seed cotton yield were observed in lower levels of fertilizer application. There were response to higher
NPK and micronutrient in the form of zinc. The results are in conformity with Chhabraet. al. (2004).

Interaction
However, the interaction effect of both moisture conservation techniques and the fertilizer levels in respect of

cotton stalk and seed cotton yield were found non significant.
Effect of Various Treatments on Uptake of N, P, K, S and Zn by Cotton
Nutrient uptake (N, P, K, S& Zn) by cotton plant as influenced by various moisture conservation techniques with
various levels of fertilizer (RDF) with and without zinc as micronutrient is presented in Table 2.

Moisture Conservation Techniques

The significantly higher uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zinc by cotton was recorded by

the adaptation of mulching with sunhemp technique (M2). The uptake of nitrogen (43.57 kg ha-1), phosphorus (23.98 kg ha1

), potassium (42.51 kg ha-1), sulphur (18.55 kg ha-1) and zinc (0.36 mg kg-1) was noted by this treatment which was

significantly superior over all other treatments of moisture conservation techniques i.e. opening of furrow (M1) and flat bed
sowing (M3) techniques. The uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zinc was more in this treatment may
be due to the enhanced organic carbon content and well managed root aeration for the nutrient availability from the soil
solution. The same result found by Katkar et. al. (2002)

Nutrient Management
The uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zinc was also influenced by the various levels of

fertilizer application. The significantly higher uptake of nitrogen (40.30 kg ha-1),phosphorus (20.73kg ha-1), potassium
(39.30kg ha-1), sulphur (17.25kg ha-1) and zinc (0.33mg kg-1) was recorded with the application of 125 % RDF
(75:37.5:37.5 NPK kg ha-1) + Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1 over all other treatments. The significantly lowest N, P, K, S and Zn
uptake was recorded by 100 % RDF (F1) than all other treatments (with higher RDF and with and without zinc
application). The increase in uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zinc with the increment with fertilizer
dose along with zinc showed that cotton crop responded more to the more nutrition upto 125% RDF. These results are
conformity with the results obtained by Sisodia and Khamparia (2007) and Devrajet.al. (2011).

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368

P. W. Deshmukh, V. D. Ingle, A. N. Paslawar,

S. M. Bhoyar, S. P. Nandapure & A. S. Deotalu

Interaction
The interaction effect of various moisture conservation techniques and nutrient management through various

levels of fertilizer in respect the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zincby cotton were found to be
non significant.

CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that the application of 125 % RDF (75:37.5:37.5 NPK kg ha-1) + zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1 and mulching
with sunhemp at 30 DAS resulted in higher productivity and nutrients uptake by cotton.

Figure 1: Effect of Various Treatments on Cotton Stalk Yield and Seed Cotton Yield
Table 1: Effect of Various Treatments on Cotton Stalk Yield and Seed Cotton Yield
Cotton Stalk Yield
(q ha-1)
I) Main plot treatments
A) Moisture Conservation Techniques
M1- Opening of furrows at 30 to 40 DAS
57.22
M2 - Mulching with sunhemp at 30 DAS
61.79
M3 - Flat Bed sowing
55.79
S.E (m)
2.93
CD at 5%
NS
II) Sub plot treatments
B) Nutrient management
F1- 100 % RDF (60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1)
55.45
F2- 100 % RDF + Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1
57.08
F3 - 125 % RDF (75:37.5:37.5 NPK kg
59.18
ha-1)
F4 -125 % RDF(75:37.5:37.5 NPK kg ha61.35
1
) + Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1
S.E (m)
1.22
CD at 5%
3.63
Interaction AB
CD at 5%
NS
Treatments

Seed Cotton
Yield (q ha-1)

28.90
31.25
28.43
1.34
NS

26.03
28.45
31.27
32.35
0.94
2.80
NS

Table 2: Effect of Various Treatments on Total Uptake of Nutrients by Cotton

Nutrient uptake by cotton
(kg ha-1)
N
P
K
S
I) Main plot treatments
A) Moisture Conservation Techniques
M1- Opening of furrows at 30 to 40 DAS
36.05
16.95
35.08
15.03
Treatments

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.7987

Zn
(mg kg-1)

0.29
NAAS Rating: 3.53

Effect of Moisture Conservation Techniques and Fertilizer Management on

Yield and Uptake of Cotton Under High Density Planting System

Table 2: Contd.,
43.57
23.98
34.04
14.96
0.12
0.14
0.39
0.48
II) Sub plot treatments
B) Nutrient management`
F1-100 % RDF (60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1)
34.92
15.82
F2- 100 % RDF + Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1
37.06
18.04
F3 -125 % RDF (75:37.5:37.5 NPK kg ha-1)
39.26
19.92
F4 -125 % RDF(75:37.5:37.5 NPK kg ha-1) +
40.30
20.73
Zinc @ 2.5 kg ha-1
S.E (m)
0.24
0.18
CD at 5%
0.72
0.54
Interaction AB
S.E (m)
0.43
0.32
CD at 5%
NS
NS
M2 - Mulching with sunhemp at 30 DAS
M3 - Flat Bed sowing
S.E (m)
CD at 5%

369

42.51
33.04
0.11
0.33

18.55
13.39
0.17
0.57

0.36
0.28
0.008
0.028

33.92
36.06
38.22

13.42
15.37
16.59

0.29
0.32
0.30

39.30

17.25

0.33

0.23
0.69

0.17
0.51

0.003
0.009

0.41
NS

0.30
NS

0.005
NS

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