Foliar Application of Manganese Increases Seed Yield and Improves Seed Quality of Cotton Grown on Calcareous Soils

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is often grown on calcareous soils where manganese (Mn) deficiency is quite common. Despite the fact that Mn deficiency can limit cotton productivity the effect of foliar application of Mn was not determined. A field study was conducted to determine if foliar Mn applications during anthesis affects the growth and yield of cotton. Manganese increased the chlorophyll content by up to 17% compared with the control treatment with no difference between the two rates of Mn. Moreover, Mn increased the seed yield by an average of 30%, the number of bolls per plant by 31%, the number of bolls per square meter by 31% and boll retention by 37% compared with the control, but it did not affect the mean boll weight and the quality of the fibers. Foliar application of Mn increased seed germination by an average of 14% and increased seed vigor (AA) by an average of 28% compared with the control treatment. The results obtained here suggest that foliar Mn application can improve the lint and seed yield and also the seed quality of cotton grown for seed production on calcareous soils.