Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

YIELD POTENTIAL AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SOME NEWLY RELEASED BT COTTON HYBRIDS IN SOUTH-WESTERN PUNJAB

Kulvir Singh

Abstract

Field experiment comprising of five Bt cotton hybrids in main, two plant geometries in sub and three nutrient levels in sub sub plots of Split Plot design replicated thrice was conducted at PAU, Regional Research Station, Faridkot during Kharif 2013. RCH776 recorded significantly highest (2970 kg/ha) while DPC3081 recorded statistically least (1852kg/ha) seed cotton yield. Statistically improved bolls/plant helped RCH776 in achieving highest yield. Owing to better FUE (6.58) and WP (660.1g-3), highest net returns of 93121/ ha were observed with RCH776 followed by NCS855 (82971/ha), RCH650 (79870/ha) and DPC3083 ( 60107/ha) with significantly least returns from DPC3081 (49499/ha). Bolls per plant and boll weight were significantly enhanced under wider geometry of 67.5 x 90 cm. Application of 150kg N, 30kg P/ha produced significantly higher SCY (2544 kg/ha) than 112.5 Kg N, 22.5kg P/ha (2295 kg/ha) owing to improved boll weight and bolls per plant, although it was at par with 187.5kg N, 37.5kg P/ha (2532 kg/ha). As a result of this, highest net returns of 76508/ha were obtained with application of 150kg N, 30kg P/ha. Water productivity improved significantly (565.3 gm-3) only up to 150kg N, 30kg P/ha while FUE exhibited the reverse trend with statistically highest value (6.53) for lowest level of nutrients i.e 112.5 Kg N and 22.5 kg P/ha.