Effect of Nutrient Management Practices on Yield Attributes of Cotton Hybrids under High Density Planting System

Aim: To study the impact of various nutrient management practices on yield attributes of cotton hybrids under high-density planting systems (HDPS). Study Design: The experiment was laid in Split plot design with hybrids as main plot and nutrient management practices as sub plots. Place and Duration of Study: College Farm, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during Kharif 2021 and Kharif 2022. Methodology: Hybrids as main plots (NCS2778 and RCH665) and nutrient management practices as sub plots (S1-100 % RDF (120-60-60 kg-1 N:P2O5:K2O), S2-120 % RDF (144-72-72 kg ha-1 N:P2O5:K2O), S3-140 % RDF (168-84-84 kg-1 N:P2O5:K2O, S4-STCR based fertiliser application (Targeted yield of 27 q ha-1) (149-64-73 kg-1 N:P2O5:K2O), S5-STCR based fertiliser application (Targeted yield of 30 q ha-1) (173-72-87 kg -1 N:P2O5:K2O),S6-STCR based fertiliser application (Targeted yield of 32 q ha-1) (189-77-97 kg-1 N:P2O5:K2O)) replicated thrice. Results: The highest pooled seed index (10.54 g), lint index (6.02 g), and ginning percentage (36.31%) were recorded under S6 (STCR-based fertilizer application targeting 32 q ha⁻¹), while the lowest seed index (8.49 g), lint index (3.97 g), and ginning percentage (31.23%) were observed under S1 (100% RDF at 120-60-60 kg ha⁻¹ N:P ₂O₅:K ₂O). Among the hybrids, NCS2778 outperformed RCH665, achieving the highest pooled seed index (10.28 g), lint index (5.64 g), and ginning percentage (34.98%). Conclusion: These findings highlight the effectiveness of STCR-based nutrient management in enhancing cotton yield and quality.