Production potential and economics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) hybrids under different plant spacing and NPK levels

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 200809 to evaluate the production poten- tial and economics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) hybrids under different plant spacing and NPK levels. A clo- sure spacing (60 cm 60 cm) exhibited its superiority by recording higher sympodial branches/plant (16.4), lint yield (345 kg/ha) and seed-cotton yield (910 kg/ha), whereas bolls picked/plant (12.9) and seed-cotton yield/plant (38.2 g) were higher under wider spacing (90 cm 60 cm). Among hybrids, MLCH 318 gave significantly higher number of sympodial branches/plant (15.8), bolls picked/plant (14.7), seed-cotton yield/plant (42.1 g), lint yield (407 kg/ha) and seed-cotton yield (1034 kg/ha) than PKV Hy2 and VBCH 2231. The maximum values of yield at- tributes, viz. sympodial branches (16.1), bolls picked/plant (13.3) and seed-cotton yield/plant (39.7 g), which re- sulted significantly higher lint yield (393 kg/ha) and seed-cotton yield (972 kg/ha) under the highest fertility levels of 62.50, 31.25 and 31.25 kg N, P O and K O/ha over rest of NPK levels. The higher gross returns and net returns 2 5 2 associated significantly with MLCH 318 ( 28,238 and 14,322/ha) when sown at 60 cm 60 cm plant spacing ( 24,679 and 10,618/ha) with the highest fertility levels of 62.50, 31.25 and 31.25 kg N, P O and K O/ha 2 5 2 ( 24,206 and 10,134/ha), respectively, and coincided with the highest benefit: cost ratio. Harvest index did not influence by the plant spacing, hybrids and NPK levels.