Drip Fertigation Program on Growth, Crop Productivity, Water, and Fertilizer-Use Efficiency of Bt Cotton in Semi-arid Tropical Region of India

Author：

Publisher： Taylor & Francis Ltd

E-ISSN： 1532-2416|46|3|293-304

ISSN： 0010-3624

Source： Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, Vol.46, Iss.3, 2015-02, pp. : 293-304

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Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of drip fertigation with biofertilizers on growth, yield, water, and fertilizer-use efficiency of Bt cotton. The treatments were comprised of drip fertigation with 75, 100, 125, and 150% of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) combined with and without biofertilizers as biofertigation, soil application of 100% RDF, and control. Growth, yield attributes, water, and fertilizer-use efficiency of Bt cotton were significantly influenced by drip fertigation treatments. Application of 150% nitrogen (N)–phosphorus (P)–potassium (K) as drip fertigation combined with biofertigation of liquid formulation of azophosmet at 250 ml (10¹² cells ml⁻¹) ha⁻¹ was significantly superior over surface irrigation and soil application of 100% NPK and registered the greatest seed cotton yield of 3395 kg ha⁻¹. The soil fertility status was greater under this treatment when compared to surface irrigation and soil application of fertilizers. It is recommended that drip fertigation of inorganic fertilizers in combination with biofertigation be used as a viable technique to realize the yield potential of Bt cotton and sustenance of soil fertility.