Cotton physiological and agronomic response to nutrient systems in different planting method

In arid and semiarid regions, high temperatures often hinder cotton germination and establishment. Transplanting cotton can mitigate these challenges. This study investigated the effect of different nutrient systems on seed cotton yield, fiber quality, and some nitrogen efficiency indicators under direct seeding and transplanting conditions during two growing seasons (2019-2020 and 2020-2021). A split-plot design with three replications was employed, with four fertilizer treatments (organic, chemical, chemical+organic (50+50%), and control) as the main plot and two planting methods (transplanting and direct-seeding) as the sub-plot. The chemical+organic fertilizer treatment significantly increased boll number per plant (88.9%) and boll weight (131%) compared to the control. Organic fertilizer treatment led to a 42.3% improvement in fiber percentage. Transplanting in the chemical+organic nutrient system enhanced lint yield by 18.5% and 20% in the first and second years, respectively, compared to direct seeding. Similarly, transplanting with organic fertilizer increased lint yield by 18.5% and 25% in the respective years. Chemical fertilizers exhibited the highest agronomic, recovery, and utilization efficiencies for nitrogen in both planting methods. The results suggest that combining organic matter with chemical fertilizers and adopting a transplanting method can significantly boost seed cotton and lint yield while potentially reducing chemical fertilizer inputs by 50%..