Role of planting geometry and growth regulators in enhancing cotton quality

This study examined how varying plant spacing and plant growth regulators (PGRs) influence lint and oil yields in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The field experiment was carried out at Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat, during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 kharif seasons, the research utilized factorial randomized block design with 36 plots. Four different plant spacing treatments (60 × 20 cm, 30-90-30 × 20 cm, 75 × 20 cm and 45-105-45 × 20 cm) and three types of PGR treatments (Control, Chlormequat chloride 200 ppm and Paclobutrazol 23% SC) were tested. The results showed that paired row spacing of 30-90-30 × 20 cm and application of Chlormequat chloride 200 ppm significantly increased lint and oil yields. However, these treatments did not have significant impact on ginning percentage, lint index, oil content, fibre length, fibre strength and fibre fineness. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing plant arrangement and PGR use to enhance cotton yield effectively.