Effect of spacings, fertilizer levels and topping management on growth of deshi cotton (Gossypium arborium L.) under rainfed condition

The field experiment entitled “Response of deshi cotton (Gossypium arborium L.) to spacings, fertilizer levels and topping management under rainfed condition” was conducted at Post Graduate Institute, Research Farm, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, District-Ahmednagar (M.S.), India during Kharif season of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design with three replications and thirty six treatment combinations comprising of four spacings S₁- 45 × 22.5 cm², S₂- 45 × 30 cm², S₃- 60 × 15 cm² and S₄- 60 × 30 cm² as main plot treatments, three fertilizer levels F₁- 75% RDF, F₂- 100% RDF and F₃- 125% RDF as sub plot treatments and three toppings T₁- No topping, T₂- Topping at 75 DAS and T₃- Topping at 85 DAS as a sub-sub plot treatments. The gross plot and net plot size were 4.50 m x 3.60 m and as per the spacing treatments, respectively. The experiment was conducted for two consecutive years on a fixed site without changing the randomization. The plant height (cm) was found more in spacings of 45 x 22.5 cm² with 125% RDF and no topping (S₁ x F₃ x T₁) and spacing 60 x 30 cm² with fertilizer levels 125% RDF and topping at 85 DAS (S₄ x F₃ x T₃) was recorded significantly maximum leaf area plant^-1, number of leaves plant^-1, number of monopodial branches plant^-1, number of sympodial branches plant^-1, number of squares plant^-1, number of bolls plant^-1 and dry matter plant^-1 (g).