Influence of Plant Density vis-à-vis Architecture on Growth Parameters Bt Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment entitled “Influence of plant density vis-à-vis architecture on Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and quality parameters” was carried out on sandy loam soil at College farm, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Results revealed that plant densities, plants sown under planting density of 90 x 20 cm (55,555 plants ha-1) recorded highest growth contributing characters such as plant height, dry matter production, first fruiting node length, internode length and height node ratio. Planting density of 90 x 30 cm (37,037 plants ha-1) has recorded significantly higher number of sympodial branches and no of nodes per plant during 2021 and 2022 and pooled mean. Length of fruiting branches from node 5 to 15, length of fruiting branches from node 15 to terminal, length of all fruiting branches, distance from main stem to first boll position from node 5 to 15, distance from main stem to first boll position from node 15 to terminal, distance from main stem to first boll position of all fruiting branches, internode diameter, days to initiation of sympodial branches, days to square initiation, days to 50% flowering, days to boll formation, days to boll bursting stage were found to be highest in plants spaced at 90 x 60 cm (18,518 plants ha-1) during two years of study and pooled mean. Interaction was found to be significant on drymatter production at 120 DAS and found highest in treatment combination of semi open plant type (Sadanand) and 90 x 20 cm (55,555 plants ha-1) during 2021 and 2022 and pooled mean. Number of monopodial branches and days to initiation of monopodial branches were showed non-significant results.