Interactive effects of detopping and planting systems on growth dynamics and yield of Bt cotton (Gossypium spp.)

An experiment entitled “Effect of De-topping and Planting System on Growth and Yield of Bt-Cotton” was conducted at Cotton Research Scheme, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth Parbhani (M.S.) during the year 2019-20 in split-plot design with three replications. The experiment comprised of three main treatments consist of planting systems viz., S₁ - (150 x 30 cm), S₂-(150 x 15 cm), S₃ - (150:75 x 30 cm) and four sub treatments viz. T₁- Control, T₂- De-topping of apical bud at 75 DAS, T₃-De-topping of apical buds at 75 DAS and removal of side branches at 90 DAS and T₄-De-topping of apical bud at 90 DAS. The results obtained from this experiment shows that the planting system of S₃ - (150:75 x 30 cm) along with de-topping of apical buds at 75 DAS recorded significantly higher all the growth characters and yield attributes such as number of functional leaves, leaf area plant^-1, monopodial and sympodial branches, dry matter plant^-1, picked boll and seed cotton yield plant^-1, and straw yield as compared to plant density of S₂ and S₁ and no topping. Adoption of planting system of S₃ (150:75 x 30 cm) along with de-topping of apical buds at 75 DAS for obtaining higher seed cotton yield and found productive, remunerative and profitable under rainfed condition of Marathwada region of Maharashtra.