Studies on effect of surface fertigation on nutrient uptake, Fue and economics of inter -specific hybrid BtCotton

Abstract

A field investigation on “Effect of surface fertigation on nutrient uptake and economics of inter-specific hybrid cotton” was carried out at agronomy field unit, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore during kharif 2012. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with 7 treatments and 3 replications involving treatment combinations of 3 splits (T₂ and T₃), 4 splits (T₄ and T₅) and 5 splits (T₆ and T₇) at 75 and 100 per cent dosages of RDF as compared to RDF through soil application. Significantly higher N, P and K uptake (160.99, 28.57 and 134.87 kg ha^-1, respectively) was recorded in 100 per cent RDF with fertigation in 5 splits. The higher nutrient uptake in fertigation treatments was attributed to uniform nutrient distribution and higher nutrient availability in the soil as compared to RDF through soil application. Among different treatments, application of 100 per cent RDF with fertigation in 5 splits recorded higher net returns (79231 Rs. ha^-1) and B:C ratio (3.41). It is advisable to adopt 5 splits application of all the major nutrients under surface fertigation to achieve higher cotton productivity and increasing B:C ratio, besides higher cost of cultivation.