Direct And Residual Effects Of Mineral Nutrients And Plant Growth Retardants On Cottonseed Yield And Its Quality

Zakaria M. Sawan

Cotton Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, 9 Gamaa street, 12619, Giza, (EGYPT)

PAGE NO: 133-148

ABSTRACT – DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47204/EBR.1.2.2021.133-148

Seed quality is one of the most important factors for stand establishment in cotton (Gossypium Sp.), and the use of good quality seeds is therefore essential to obtain an optimum plant population. Conditions prevailing during seed formation can affect the quality of seed produced, and hence crop establishment in the next growing season. These conditions can affect the germination of the seeds and the ability of the seedlings to emerge from soil, these being the most critical stages during the life cycle of cotton plant. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), foliar application of zinc (Zn) and calcium (Ca), the use of plant growth retardant (PGR) [1, 1-dimethyl piperidinium chloride (MC)], during square initiation and boll setting stage, on growth, seed yield, seed viability, and seedling vigor of cotton.