THE EFFECT OF SEEDING METHODS AND SEEDING RATES ON COTTON DEVELOPMENT AND YIELD IN THE ROSTOV REGION

Purpose: to determine the most rational seeding method and the optimal seeding rate of cotton seeds under irrigation under the agroclimatic conditions of the Rostov region. Materials and methods. The studies were conducted in 2022–2024 in the Rostov region on an experimental plot when cultivating the PGSSH 1 cotton variety. Biometric and phenological observations, yield records and statistical data processing were carried out. Results. It was determined that by the ripening phase, the highest values for cotton height, leaf area (LA) and dry matter accumulation on average over three years were achieved with the dotted seeding method and a seeding rate of 100 thousand pcs./ha – 99.1 cm, 20.9 thousand sq. m/ha, 5.63 t/ha, respectively. Thickening of crops to 140 thousand pcs./ha reduced the data on these indicators by the ripening phase to 90.2 cm, 17.2 thousand sq. m/ha and 4.56 t/ha, respectively. The best options for yield, fiber yield and 1000-grain weight were determined with the dotted seeding method and seeding rates of 100 and 120 thousand pcs./ha – 1.36 and 1.38 t/ha, 36.2 and 36 %, 103.8 and 101.8 g, respectively. Conclusions. According to all indicators, the best seeding method is dotted, and the optimal seeding rates are 100 and 120 thousand pcs/ha. But the nested seeding method with the same seeding rates should not be excluded, since an insignificant difference in yield between these options of 0.06 t/ha has been determined.