Yield and NPK Uptake of Cotton in Response to Different Nutrient Management Practices

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2012–13 and rabi 2013–14 to study the effect of different nutrient management practices on growth, yield and NPK uptake of cotton. Observations on plant height, LAI and DMP were recorded at 40, 80 DAS and at harvest. The results revealed that integrated nutrient management practices significantly improved the growth and yield attributes of both rabi 2012–13 and rabi 2013–14 as compared to recommended N fertilizer dose (80 kg N/ha). Among the organic nutrient management, the maximum values of growth attributes (plant height, LAI and DMP), yield attributes (no. of sympodia, no. of fruiting points, no. of bolls, boll setting percentage and no. of bolls) and seed cotton yield was obtained with application of poultry manure during both seasons. The uptake of NPK was higher with INM practices. Among the organic nutrient management practices the poultry manure registered higher NPK uptake. Therefore, the study recommended that INM practice is found to be a promising nutrient management strategy. Combined use of fertilizer and organic manures should be encouraged to check nutrient mining and correct nutrient deficiency. Hence the application of INM treatment to improve the seed cotton yields due to higher uptake of NPK.