Evaluation of Plant Density and Cotton Genotypes (Gossypium hirsutum L.) on Yield and Fibre Quality

Field experiments were conducted during winter season of 2011-12 and 2012-13 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the feasibility of using cotton genotypes under high density planting system and to assess its effect on seed cotton yield, oil content and fibre quality parameters. The experiments were laid out in a strip plot design, replicated thrice. The soil in the experimental site was sandy clay loam with low available nitrogen (182 kg/ha), medium available phosphorus (12.6 kg/ha) and high available potassium (340 kg/ha). The experiment consisted of seven cotton genotypes viz., Jai, Ranjeet, TCH 1608, SVPR 3, Anjali, Suraj and LH 900 with four spacings viz., 30 × 30, 45 × 30, 60 × 30 and 90 × 30 cm. Ranjeet planted at the spacing of 30 × 30 cm recorded significantly higher seed cotton yield. The percentage of oil content was significantly higher in Ranjeet genotype than other cotton genotypes. The fibre quality parameters viz., fibre length, fibre strength, micronaire, elongation percentage were significantly influenced by different cotton genotypes. The oil content and fibre quality was not significantly influenced by plant densities.