Growth and Yield of Bt Cotton Influence by Land Configuration and Nutrient Levels Under Rainfed Situation

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at main agriculture research station, Raichur (Karnataka, India) during Kharif 2016 to enhance the yield of Bt cotton and improve the economy of farmers under the rainfed situation. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three land configuration practices as main plots and four different combinations of an organic and inorganic source of nutrients as subplots replicated thrice. The results showed that, significantly higher seed cotton yield (2834 kg ha-1) were recorded with land configuration practice of Ridges and Furrow method in conjunction with application of 90:45:45 NPK kg ha-1 (50% N through organic) when compared to Broad Bed and Furrow method and Flat Bed methods and their respective combination with different source of nutrients. This trend was also reflected in dry matter accumulation in various plant parts (leaves, stem and reproductive organs). The combined effect of Ridges and Furrow method and application of 90:45:45 NPK kg ha-1 (50% N through organic) also resulted in recording higher gross (Rs.1,53,018 ha-1) and net returns (Rs.1,07,67 ha-1) when compared to other treatment combinations. Therefore it was concluded that, land configuration practice of Ridges and Furrow method in combination with the application of 90:45:45 NPK kg ha-1 (50% N through organic) was found to be the best option to realise higher seed cotton yield and more economical.