Effect of sowing methods and salinity levels on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) grown in semi-arid condition

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during 2005-2006 and 2006-07 on a sandy loam soil in semi-arid climatic conditions to minimize the salinity menace to cotton crop by modifying the seeding technique under saline irrigation conditions. The treatments were comprised of three salinity levels of irrigation water viz., BAW (3.5 dS/m), ECiw 6 and 9 dS/m with two methods of sowing (flat and bed sowing). It was recorded that the germination count declined with saline irrigation though magnitude of reduction was less in bed sowing method as compared to flat sowing. Similarly, the crop growth was also improved under the bed sowing method particularly, the sympodial branches which had more ball bearing part. With the increase in germination count and better growth performance, the yield of the cotton was higher in bed sowing method. The reduction in crop yield was 14 and 46% at ECiw 6 and 9 dS/m, respectively over BAMW in flat method of sowing whereas such reduction was only 6 and 37% in bed sowing method.