Optimizing Growth and Yield of Cotton: Exploring Pruning and Drip Fertigation Techniques on ELS Cotton CO14

Background: Cotton, a perennial crop, can greatly benefit from pruning, which assists in rejuvenating aged plants and enhancing yields comparable to those of the primary crop. However, research on pruning (ratooning) cotton remains limited. In this study, we investigated the effects of pruning and drip fertigation on yield and yield characteristics of ELS cotton CO14. Methods: The study was conducted in a farmer's field in Nallur village, Bhavanisagar block, Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India, using a split-plot design replicated thrice. Main plots received fertigation treatments (M1-75% NPK, M2-100% NPK, M3-125% NPK, M4-STCR), while subplots were designated for different pruning techniques (S1-15 cm, S2-30 cm, S3-45 cm). Result: Findings showed that drip fertigation with M3-125% NPK resulted in highest plant height (109.35 and 113.06), LAI (4.06 and 4.02), higher counts of sympodial branches plant-1 (19.73 and14.46), squares plant-1 (128.00 and108.27), bolls plant-1 (59.44 and 45.98), boll setting percentage (46.66 and 42.51), yield (28.56 and 19.34 q/ha) and HI (0.46 and 0.43) in main crop and pruned crop. Concerning pruning techniques, cotton pruned at S3-45 cm height exhibited significantly greater counts of sympodial branches plant-1 (13.76), squares plant-1 (103.44), flowers plant-1 (16.66), bolls plant-1 (36.88), boll setting percentage (35.35), yield (16.87 q/ha) and HI (0.40). Interaction analysis between main and subplot treatments revealed that 125% fertigation with 45 cm pruning height led to significantly higher counts of sympodial branches plant-1 (15.60) and flowers plant-1 (18.58). Thus, it is recommended to implement fertigation at 125% NPK+pruning at a 45 cm cut height to attain superior yields and yield characteristics.