Appropriation of Tillage and Sowing Pattern for Enhancing Productivity of Bt Cotton

Abstract

Abstract

An experiment was carried out at Junagadh (Gujarat) during 2010 to 2012 to assess the response of Bt cotton (NHH-44) to three tillage practices (Conventional tillage i.e. cross cultivation + blade harrowing + planking, Ploughing + blade harrowing + planking, and Tillage through rotavator) and four sowing patterns (Flat bed sowing, Furrow sowing, Ridge sowing, and Paired row sowing). The results revealed that ploughing + blade harrowing + planking significantly improved growth and yield attributes viz., plant height, number of bolls/plant, single boll weight and seed cotton weight/plant and thereby increased seed cotton yield (2257 kg/ha) and stalk yield (5352 kg/ha along with higher net return (Rs. 69,183/ha) and B:C (4.08) over conventional tillage. The ridge sowing enhanced growth and yield parameters viz. plant height, number of bolls/plant, single boll weight and seed cotton weight/plant and ultimately increased seed cotton yield (2244 kg/ha) and stalk yield (5316 kg/ha), net return (Rs. 68,547/ha) and B:C (4.04) over flat bed sowing.

Key words: Cotton, tillage, flat bed, ridge, furrow, paired row