<b>Cotton productivity enhanced through transplanting and early sowing

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Due to high temperatures in arid regions, cotton crop emergence and early establishment of seedlings are adversely affected. Field studies were undertaken to quantify the effects of transplantation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings during the early part of the growing season (March) and crop season (May) for potential realization of cotton productivity under the harsh weather of the southern part of Punjab province, Pakistan. Treatments, consisting of (a) two planting dates (March and May), and (b) two sowing methods (transplanting of seedlings and direct seeding), were arranged in a randomized complete-block design with four replications. Results showed that transplanting seedlings improved the productivity of cotton by 14.2% over direct seeding. Productivity was also increased substantially (34.8%) by planting during March over May sowing. The practice of planting cotton by transplanting seedlings and early sowing could be successfully adapted in areas where high temperatures coincide with the May planting and peak blooming periods in different cotton growing areas.Keywords: heat stress; irrigated arid environment; planting techniques; planting time.Aumento da produtividade do algodão por meio de transplante de mudas e semeadura precoce RESUMO. Altas temperaturas, em torno de 48ºC, prevalecem durante os meses de maio na parte do sul da província de Punjab, no Paquistão. A esta temperatura a emergência da colheita de algodão e o estabelecimento precoce da plântula são adversamente afetados. Estudos de campo foram realizados para quantificar os efeitos do transplante de mudas de algodão (Gossypium hirsutum L.) durante a primeira parte da estação de crescimento (março) e da safra (maio) para a realização potencial da produtividade do algodão sob condições adversas da parte sul do Punjab Província-Paquistão. Os tratamentos, consistindo em (a) duas datas de plantio (março e maio), e (b) dois métodos de semeadura (transplante de mudas e semeadura direta), foram dispostos em delineamento em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os resultados mostraram que o transplante de mudas melhorou a produtividade do algodão em 14,2% em relação à semeadura direta. A produtividade também aumentou substancialmente (34,8%) com o plantio em março sobre a semeadura de maio. A prática de plantio de algodão por transplante de mudas e sua semeadura precoce poderia ser adaptada com sucesso, onde a alta temperatura coincide com o tempo de plantio durante o mês de maio e períodos de florescimento máximo em diferentes áreas de cultivo de algodão.Palavras-chave: estresse por calor; ambiente árido irrigado; técnicas de plantio; tempo de plantio.

Influence of micro-environment on the growth characteristics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) with reference to row positions

“…It is said that compared to a north-south orientation, an east-west sowing orientation allows lighter to enter and intersect the plant canopy [28] . These findings are consistent with those of [29] the early-planted crop in March allows the accumulation of more growth degree days producing superior plant heights. This result in second year is agreement with those of [30] indicating that the North-South orientation produced the tallest plants.…”

The impacts of climatic changes on the yield and water use efficiency of maize grown under different sowing dates and two irrigation schemes in arid climate

“…Sowing date is one of the major factors limiting corn crop yield and is also a key factor in determining yield. Therefore, the determination of the optimal sowing date is considered critical to agricultural production, given that the increase in temperature affects crop yield because of the shorter duration of the growing seasons [25].…”

<strong>Technological Advancements in Cotton Agronomy: A Review and Prospects</strong>

“…In arid cotton-growing regions like Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and the Cotton Belt of the US, temperature extremes affect cotton plant emergence and initial seedling establishment [31,81] . In such regions, the early sowing method aided by transplantation, has been emerging in recent years as a promising approach for enhancing cotton production; cotton producers are shifting towards early planting to circumvent the danger of temperature stress on the emergence of cotton seedlings in May and preserve ideal plant density [81] . Although there are alternative techniques for the proper cotton plantlet establishment under high heat, this technique proves superior [81] .…”

“…In such regions, the early sowing method aided by transplantation, has been emerging in recent years as a promising approach for enhancing cotton production; cotton producers are shifting towards early planting to circumvent the danger of temperature stress on the emergence of cotton seedlings in May and preserve ideal plant density [81] . Although there are alternative techniques for the proper cotton plantlet establishment under high heat, this technique proves superior [81] . This method involves initiating the cotton crop earlier than traditional planting dates, often facilitated by transplanting seedlings instead of direct seeding in the field.…”