Agrotechnology

Performance of Bt Cotton hybrids to plant population and soil types under rainfed condition

2^nd International Conference on Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Hyderabad, India February 03-05, 2014

Rajeshwar Malavath, Ravinder Naik, T. Pradeep, Sreedhar Chuhan and M. Shanker

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted both in black cotton and red chalka soils during kharif 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons in Adilabad District of Andhra Pradesh at six different locations through farmers participatory mode to find out the response of BGII cotton hybrids under two different spacings in rainfed conditions. These experiments were carried out by the District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Center, Adilabad in collaboration with ATMA project functioning at Adilabad. Three cotton hybrids viz., Mallika BG-II, Rasi BG-II and Paras Brahma BG -II which are most popular among the farmers were sown under two different spacings in different soils. The data revealed that, hybrids did not differ significantly in plant height, number of sympodial branches/plant, number of bolls/plant, boll weight and kapas yield in both the years of testing and also in both the soils. But, spacings had significantly influenced number of bolls/plant, boll weight and kapas yield. However, interaction effect was significant only for plant height. Closer spacing of 60x60 cm in red chalka soils (2033 and 2253 kg ha -1 ) and 90x60 cm in BC soils (2300 and 2450 kg ha -1 ) gave significantly higher kapas yield than wider spacing of 90x90 cm (1500 and 1863 kg ha -1 ) and 120x90 cm (1767 and 1983kg ha -1 ) during both the years of investigation respectively. Thus it is concluded that Bt hybrids need to be planted with higher plant density to realize good yields.

Biography :

Rajeshwar Malavath has completed his Ph.D. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore. He has around 10 years of experience both as Mandal Agricultural Officer for about 2 years and in Research and Transfer of technology in Agricultural University for about 8 years. He has consistently good academic record and has Attended 5 training programmes and presented paper at 10 national conference/ workshops. He was also awarded the best extension officer award by the Department of Agriculture and best scientist award during sankranti puraskaralu. He has published 15 research articles in reputed journals. In addition he has published 22 popular articles for the welfare of farming community. At present he is actively involved in teaching a P.G and U.G courses in agriculture besides getting actively involved in offering advisory services through soil health care laboratory.