Mulches and Nitrogen Application Improves Cotton Yield and Fiber Quality

Abstract

Cotton is an important cash crop and source of foreign exchange. Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for plant growth throughout the life span of the crop. Wheat straw mulch not only source of nitrogen supply but also improves soil fertility and reduces soil erosion. The current study was performed to investigate the effects of mulches and nitrogen application on cotton productivity and fiber quality at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan. Two crop residues i.e. wheat straw and non wheat straw were used in main plots while nitrogen levels viz. 0,50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 were randomized in subplots. The highest seed cotton yield (22.99 t ha-1) was obtained by the combination of nitrogen fertilizer application highest level (150 kg N ha-1) along with the wheat straw (20.27 t ha-1). The fiber quality was also affected by the wheat straw along with nitrogen application 150 kg N ha-1 and gave maximum results. In conclusion, wheat straw along with 150 kg ha-1 of Nitrogen application gave maximum results on cotton production as compared to non straw with low nitrogen application.