Yield maximization of Bt cotton by integrated crop management techniques

A field experiment was conducted at Cotton Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during kharif season of 2023-2024 to study the effect of integrated crop management techniques on growth, yield and economics of Bt cotton. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three replications. There were nine treatments having HDPS planting and different canopy management practices. The results revealed that, T1 (recommended spacing) had better crop growth, Dry matter accumulation per plant, number of sympodial branches per plant, number of picked bolls per plant, seed cotton yield per plant, and harvest index when compare to other treatments under rainfed condition. The seed cotton yield (kg/ha) was significantly highest in T9-T2 + Detopping at 100 cm height + Pruning of monopodia at 45 DAS + Two spray of Mepiquat chloride @ 25 g a. i. at 45 and 60 DAS (2690 kg/ha) which was found significantly superior over other treatments. T9 (T2 + Detopping at 100 cm height + Pruning of monopodia at 45 DAS + Two spray of Mepiquat chloride @ 25 g a. i. at 45 and 60 DAS) also reflected in maximum GMR (182113 Rs ha-1), NMR (114033 Rs ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.67) than other treatments.