Effect of crop residue mulching on yield and nutrient uptake by Bt-cotton

The field experiment was carried out during 2024-25 at the Research Farm, Cotton Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra to assess the impact of crop residue mulching on yield and nutrient uptake in Bt-cotton. A randomized block design (RBD) with four replications was adopted, wherein the treatments included the application of different crop residue mulches in combination with the general recommended dose of fertilizers (GRDF). Treatments comprised: T1 (GRDF), T2 (GRDF + Mulching with wheat straw @ 50% of potential yield), T3 (GRDF + Mulching with cotton straw @ 50% of potential yield), T4 (GRDF + Mulching with soybean straw @ 75% of potential yield) and T5 (GRDF + Mulching with weed biomass). The highest seed cotton and cotton stalk yield were achieved with the application of GRDF along with mulching of soybean straw @ 75% of the potential yield. This treatment was on par with GRDF along with mulching of weed biomass and application of GRDF with mulching of wheat straw @ 50% of the potential yield. The lowest yield was recorded under treatment T1 (GRDF alone). In terms of total nutrient uptake of major nutrients (N, P, K) by cotton, the maximum uptake of nutrients was observed in treatment receiving GRDF along with soybean straw mulching @ 75% of the potential yield and this treatment was found on par with treatment receiving GRDF along with weed biomass. The minimum nutrient uptake by cotton was recorded in treatment T1 (GRDF alone).