Efficacy of fertilizing method for different potash sources in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) nutrition under arid climatic conditions

Abstract

Precise choice of potassium (K) source and application method does matter for its costeffectiveness. This study was aimed to evaluate the best source and method of K fertilizer application to improve cotton productivity and profitability under an arid climate. Three different K sources (KNO 3 , K 2 SO 4 and KCl) were applied at 100 kg ha-1 by four methods, i.e. a) basal application, b) side dressing, c) fertigation and d) foliar application of 2% K 2 SO 4. The highest productivity and profitability were recorded with K 2 SO 4 applied as foliar application. Total boll weight per plant was similar in foliar applied K 2 SO 4 and basal application of KNO 3. Better boll opening in foliar applied K 2 SO 4 , perhaps, played decisive role for increased seed-cotton yield. For basal application and side dressing, KNO 3 produced the highest seed-cotton yield, but the benefit cost ratio was better for foliar applied K 2 SO 4. In crux, foliar application of K 2 SO 4 might be opted to improve the seed cotton yield, fiber quality and net returns under the arid climate. However, soil K application through K 2 SO 4 and/or KNO 3 is essential to balance the K removal from soil.

Physiological Role of Nutrient Consortium for Improving the Yield in Cotton

“…Potassium fertilization diverts the photosynthates to sink tissues [26]. According to the report [27], foliar application of K2SO4 resulted in high seed cotton yield. It has also been reported that, application of naphthalene acetic acid at 30 ppm resulted in more seed cotton yield [28].…”

Osmo‐protectants improve cotton yield by alleviating moisture stress under semi‐arid conditions

“…Application of thio urea (TU) in corn ( Zea mays L.) (Amin et al, 2013), wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) (Suryavanshi et al, 2016), potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) (Mani et al, 2012), and mustard ( Brassica juncea L.) (Pandey et al, 2013) has proved beneficial under stress. Similarly, potassium nitrate (Hussain et al, 2020; Shahzad et al, 2019) and urea (Shalaby, 2018) applications also exhibited potential to induce abiotic stress resilience among field crops. Microbes such as pink pigmented facultative methylobacteria (PPFM) have been shown to affect the release of some sugars and alcohols and improve SCY under moisture stress when combined with cotton stalk biochar/crop residue mulch (Kannan et al., 2017).…”

Retraction: Efficacy of fertilizing method for different potash sources in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) nutrition under arid climatic conditions

“…The PLOS ONE Editors retract this article [ 1 ] because it was identified as one of a series of submissions for which we have concerns about authorship, competing interests, and peer review. We regret that the issues were not addressed prior to the article’s publication.…”