Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
SU Kakade, Vaishnavi Deshmukh, AN Gawate, OS Rakhonde and NR Potdukhe

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted during the year 2021-22 at Cotton Research Unit Research Farm, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola to study the effect of fertigation levels and canopy management practices on growth and yield of Bt cotton. The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design with three replications and sixteen treatment combinations. The experimental site was established with inline drip irrigation system (16 mm) lateral laid out at 120 cm with 50 cm dripper spacing. The results of present investigation revealed that, PDKV-JKAL-116 (BG-II) Bt hybrid had better crop growth, yield attributes, and seed cotton yield than PKV-Hy-2 Bt genotype under drip irrigation. The seed cotton yield was significantly highest in genotype PDKV-JKAL 116 Bt (BG-II) (3844 kg ha^-1). Among the nutrient management, application of 125% N and K ha^-1 applied through drip fertigation produced significantly higher seed cotton yield of 3734 Kg ha^-1 as against the seed cotton yield of 3416 Kgha^-1 in lower dose of 100% N and K in four splits. Canopy management data of this study indicates that, canopy management practices like monopodia removal at 60 DAS and de-topping at 75-80 DAS had advantage to produce higher seed cotton yield than no canopy management. Significantly highest seed cotton yield of 3963 kgha^-1 was recorded in the treatment of monopodia removal at 60 DAS and de-topping at 75-80 DAS) followed by SCY of 3610 kgha^-1 in the treatment of monopodia cutting at 60 DAS and spraying of mepiquat chloride 5% w/w at 75 DAS. Monopodia removal at 60 DAS and de-topping at 75-80 DAS registered 18.60% yield increase over no canopy management (Control). Genotype PDKV-JKAL-116 (BG-II), 125% fertigation level and canopy modifications practice (monopodia removal and detopping) reflected in increasing the GMR, net monetary returns and B: C ratio compared to farmers practice (control).