Effect on yield and fiber quality traits of transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) by soil and foliar application of potassium

For textile industries of world fiber obtained from cotton is one of essential raw material. It is documented that fiber strength and length decide the quality of yarn to a great extent. However, low uptake of potassium (K) induced a premature senescence in cotton that adversely affects the fiber properties of cotton. As relation behind the improvement in cotton fiber properties and fiber development by balance uptake of K is yet unclear, it hypothesized that better K availability would have the potential to improve cotton yield and fiber quality. Therefore, two years of successive study was conducted to quantify the effect of supplemental foliar-applied potassium with a basal application on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and lint quality. The experiment layout was split plot randomized complete block design with four replications and treatments consisted of three potassium rates (0, 100, 150 Kg K ha-1) with two application regimes (soil and soil + foliar), 2% K2O foliar sprays were applied during peak flowering stages. Results indicated that application of 150 kg ha–1 significantly improved plant height (34%), nodes plant-1 (29%), inter-nodal distance (27%), bolls plant-1 (61%), boll weight (22%) and seed cotton yield (29%). It is concluded that 2% K2O with soil application of K is more effective tool to staple length while application of 150 kg ha–1 can significantly improve yield of cotton.