Response of cotton genotypes to planting date and plant spacing

Cotton growers face a problem of low cotton yield in late planting (after sunflower and maize). The objective of our study was to determine the effects of planting date, plant spacing (plant density), and genotypes on seed cotton yield and its components, ginning outturn (GOT%), and fiber quality traits (fiber length and fiber fineness). Five planting dates (May 1, May 15, May 30, June 15, and June 30), three plant spacings (15, 30, and 45 cm), and three cotton genotypes (CRS-6070, CRS-738, and CIM-496) were evaluated for seed cotton yield with its components and fiber quality traits. The results showed that monopodial branches/plant, sympodial branches/plant, number of bolls/plant, and seed cotton yield differed significantly among different planting dates, plant spacing, and genotypes. While the boll weight was significantly different among genotypes only. GOT%, fiber length, and fiber fineness were different significantly among planting time and cotton genotypes, which were not significantly affected by plant spacing. Cotton grown in early planting dates had higher seed cotton yield (4874 and 4653 kg/hm²) at the highest plant spacing (45 cm). While late sown cotton (June 15 onward) gave higher seed cotton yields (2068 and 1889 kg/hm²) at the lowest plant spacing (15 cm). GOT%, fiber length, and fiber fineness improved significantly in late planting and not affected from plant spacing. From our present study, it is concluded that high seed cotton yield can be achieved at high plant spacing in early planting while at low plant spacing in late planting.