Transplanting improves the allometry and fiber quality of Bt cotton in cotton–wheat cropping system

Abstract

In cotton–wheat cropping system of Pakistan, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is harvested in late April; however, the optimum sowing time of Bt cotton is mid-March. This indicates a time difference of 4–6 weeks between the harvest of wheat and cotton sowing. It is hypothesized that this overlapping period may be managed by transplanting cotton seedlings (30–45 days old) in late April, after the harvest of wheat due to better performance of already established seedlings. To this end, this study was conducted to evaluate the allometric traits and fiber quality of transplanted Bt cotton after harvesting wheat in the cotton–wheat cropping system. The Bt cotton–wheat cropping systems were flat sown wheat (FSW)–conventionally tilled cotton, FSW–zero tilled cotton, ridge sown wheat–ridge transplanted cotton using 30- and 45-days-old seedlings, and bed sown wheat (BSW)–bed transplanted cotton (BTC) also using 30- and 45-days-old seedlings. The study was conducted at Vehari and Multan in Punjab, Pakistan. Bt cotton in BSW–BTC with 45-days-old seedlings showed better performance for allometric (leaf area index; (LAI), net assimilation rate; (NAR), and crop growth rate; (CGR)), seed cotton yield, and fiber traits (fiber uniformity, fiber length, fiber strength, and fiber fineness) in comparison to other treatments. Most of the fiber quality traits were positively correlated with allometric traits and biological yield (dry matter yield at maturity) at both locations, except correlations of CGR and LAI with fiber fineness and fiber length and NAR with fiber length. As plant growth and fiber quality of transplanted cotton was significantly higher than conventionally grown cotton, our data indicate transplanting is an interesting management practice for improving productivity in wheat–cotton cropping systems.

Adult-plant resistance of Panax notoginseng to nematodes and interspecific facilitation with pine trees

“…Gangadhar et al (2018) also found a signi cantly higher oil yield and oil content of sa ower in a sa ower-linseed intercropping system in a suitable row proportion. The relay intercropping of Bt cotton in wheat could improve the growth and bre quality of Bt cotton (Shah et al 2019). Combining these results with the improvement of the survival rate of P. notoginseng in the intercropping system mentioned previously, we therefore concluded that P. notoginseng-pine tree intercropping promotes interspeci c facilitation, which can improve the growth and quality of P. notoginseng.…”

Field screening of diverse wheat germplasm for determining their adaptability to semi-arid climatic conditions

“…The productivity of wheat crop is severely affected by various biotic and abiotic stresses [5,[9][10][11]. Introduction of transgenic cotton in Pakistan has aggravated the situation as the long growth period of cotton overlaps with sowing and harvesting of wheat crop [12][13][14]. Nonavailability of early maturing [3], drought-tolerant and high-yielding genotypes [5,6], low soil fertility [15], and low moisture availability [16,17] are the major reasons of low wheat production in Pakistan.…”

Economic viability of releasing Bt cotton in Bangladesh: An early insight

“…Subsequently, in 2002, Bt cotton was introduced in India as a means of combating bollworm infestation [ 16 ]. Its technological advantage was also realized in Pakistan [ [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] ]. Cotton farmers of these countries readily accepted Bt varieties for its several benefits.…”