Nutrient Uptake and Quality Parameters of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) by Using Organic and Inorganic Nutrients with Phytohormone

In India, 6 million farmers directly depend on cotton for their income, while 40–50 million people are employed in the cotton trading and processing industry. In the twenty-first century, agriculture has faced several challenges in providing the food and fiber that the growing population need. A field experiment was conducted in Farmer’s Field at Jayapuram Village, Natrampalli Taluk in Thirupathur District during Aug-Jan (2021-22) to investigate the effect of soil application of NPK fertilizers, Zn-enriched compost and foliar spray of ZnO2 and NAA on enhancement of cotton nutrient uptake and quality in sandy loam soil. Fertilizers (N: P2O5: K2O) were applied at the appropriate dose (60:30:30 kg ha-1) using Urea, SSP, and MOP. Zn-enriched compost (Zn-EC) was treated at 1.0 t ha-1 as a basal one week before sowing. As per treatment ZnO2 at 0.1% was applied twice during the vegetative and blooming periods of the crop. The treatment included spraying NAA at 40 ppm twice during flowering and boll formation. Cotton cv. Sabari was cultivated as a test crop using suggested cultural methods. The results of the field experiment clearly proved that soil application of 75% RDF + Zn – EC @ 1.0 t ha-1 and foliar spray of ZnO2 @ 0.1% + NAA @ 40 ppm (T9) will be an effective management practices for achieving better yield, quality in cotton with due care on soil fertility. The conclusion made from this study is the farmers might enhance cotton production as well as quality by applying 75% required NPK, zinc-enriched compost at 1.0 t ha-1, and foliar sprays of ZnO2 at 0.1% and NAA at 40 ppm in sandy loam soil. The treatment improved sandy loam soil health, including physical, chemical, biological, and nutrient availability. In the world market demand for cotton is very high, and the present research adequately explained how the use of various organic and inorganic fertilizers not only enhances the quality but also the yield parameters.