Development and Growth: Influence of Sowing Dates on Performance of Cotton Cultivars

Abstract

C otton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plant is recognized as white gold and warm humid area of the world under its cultivation (Meredith et al., 1997). In the world, Pakistan ranked 3 rd being a consumer and fourth in terms of production (GoP, 2015-16). It has a leading role in Pakistan's economy as a main cash crop.Moreover, foreign exchange earnings and support about 1.5 million rural economies (Hussain et al., 2010;Ahmad et al., 2009). Cotton crop share in value addition is 5.1 % and in gross domestic production is 1.0% (GoP, 2015-16). Recent economic importance of cotton is 2.917 million hectares' areas with total production and average yield are 10.074 million bales and 587 kg per hectare, respectively (GoP, 2015-16).

Effect of Sowing Dates and Genotypes on Yield and Yield Contributing Traits of Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

“…Sowing date have a big impact on cotton cultivars. The growth and developmental characteristics of late-sown cotton were significantly reduced (Ali et al, 2021).…”

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

“…According to El Hassan [8] compared to later sowing dates, early sowing produced taller plants with higher LAI and more total dry weight in Sudan. The study conducted by Ali et al [9] included three planting dates: April 21, May 5, and May 20, the sowing date on May 5th yielded a greater leaf area index, but the sowing date April 21st produced higher TDM yield. The TDM accumulation per plant at all of stages in crop growth was affected by varying plant geometries, the increase in dry matter can be due to the higher availability of nutrients, resulting in increased plant height, leaf count, and leaf area.…”

“…This, in turn, enhances the production of photosynthates and their subsequent accumulation in the plant, the relative growth rate (RGR) based on the TDM accumulation per plant per day exhibited a slow pace during the initial 0 to 30 days after sowing (DAS), accelerated significantly during 61 to 90 DAS, and subsequently decelerated as observed by [13] . Ali et al [9] showed that 15 th April to 10 th May sown cotton gave maximum crop growth rate. Kaur et al [14] studied on three sowing dates (20 th April, 10 th May, and 30 th May) revealed that the crop growth rate (CGR) was greater for the cotton sown earlier 20 th April.…”