COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON SEED COTTON YIELD IN RELATION TO NITROGEN RATE S AND SOWING DATES UNDER DIVERSE AGRO- ENVIRONMENT OF PUNJAB.

Abstract

The aim of present research work was to compare seed cotton yield of various cotton cultivars sown at different and nitrogen rates under variable environments of Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose field experiments were carried out at Faisalabad, Sahiwal and Multan districts of Punjab during 2005 and 2006. Four cotton cultivars were sown at 3rd week of May and 2nd week of June and subject to four N levels (50,100,150 and 200 kg N ha week of may enhanced seed cotton yield by 29% over 2-1). The result indicate that sowing of cotton in 3rd week of June and also increased different yield components and enhanced seed cotton. The treatment; 200 kg N ha-1 performed will and increased seed cotton by 29% over 50kg N ha-1. Cultivar SLH-284 gave better results than other cultivars, Sahiwal location gave better yield followed by Multan and Faisalabad. It was concluded that selection of suitable cultivar, early sowing of cotton and proper N level could enhance cotton productivity under semiarid ad arid environments.