What is BT cotton Hybrid?
A BT cotton hybrid carries a gene incorporated
in it from another species, which gives resistance against
bollworm. BT cotton hybrid and a normal hybrid with
same parents differ only for a single gene i.e. BT gene.
All the current BT cotton hybrids do not rejuvenate
quickly (re-activation of plants for yields) after completing
its one phase of production. It is more so in the case
of BT Cotton Hybrids as they are early and semi-determinate
types. Most of the BT cotton hybrids have become earlier
in bearing by 20 days when compared to the counterparts.
Need for Rejuvenation of cotton hybrids:
The new generation BT Cotton Hybrids need
additional importance in Nutrition Management as they
are
A. Genetic Nature:
- Determinate or Semi-determinate types
- Prolific Bearers
- Early maturing types
Due to early and semi-determinate habit
of these BT Cotton Hybrids, the rate of growth and rejuvenation
capacity of the plant after first flush
of flowering is slow. When there is need to have more
nutritional requirement after first bearing, the plant
could not cope up with the nutritional requirements
and necessitates additional nutrition
B. For Higher Yields:
- To explore the potential yield and to achieving
higher yields, additional nutrition through different
systems (Including Foliar feeding) is required over
and above the normal fertilizer recommendation.
C. Soil Problems:
- Generally the Cotton Growing soils in Telangana
are light textured with low or poor nutritional status
- Cotton is also being grown in Problematic soils
The poor and problematic soils require additional
nutrition
D. Contingencies:
Crop management also requires additional
nutrition during Stress Situations that arise due to
- Drought situation.
- Excess Moisture condition during heavy and continuous
rains
E. Crop Management Practices :
- Imbalance plant nutrition
- Untimely fertilizers application
- Improper method of fertilizer application
- Irrigated conditions
- Poor field conditions at the time of fertilizer
application
Also necessitates higher doses of nutrients
Balanced nutrition and additional care through
higher doses of fertilizers are required
- To push the vegetative growth during stress or poor
nutrition availability situations
- To reduce the resting period after first flush of
heavy bearing by rejuvenation
- To prevent square drop
- To improve boll setting
- To improve and enhance boll development
- To improve boll weight
- To improve lint quality and
- To improve pest and disease tolerance
All the above situations necessitates the
need for providing additional nutrition not only through
soil but also through foliar. Foliar feeding is one
of the most efficient ways of supplying essential nutrients
to a growing crop plant. It provides a method of delivering
fundamental nutrients at key growth stages when the
plant is at peak nutrient requirements and could not
be made available through normal stream of root system
from soil.
When plant tissue K is in short supply on
high yielding hybrid cotton fields, the team of Potassium
(K), Nitrogen (N) and Boron (B) can help to improve
plant and boll growth. Research has shown that common
foliar K sources perform best when solution pH is buffered
to levels between 4 and 6. Polyfeed and Multi-K + Boron
spray will take care of the spray solution buffer requirements
(pH), while meeting the nutritional requirements.
SOLUTIONS WITH FOLIAR FEEDING:
1. For Vegetative growth and Square formation
:
These hybrids can be improved in vegetative
growth during stress situations and also during rest
period after good flush of heavy flowering and boll
set (Resting period can be reduced) by providing additional
nutrients through foliar feeding. Polyfeed
that contains all the major nutrients of N, P &
K in addition to all the micronutrients in a balanced
form will improve the vegetative growth and square formation
in a rapid and efficient manner. Hence Polyfeed
foliar spry @ 1.5 to 2 % (15 to 20 grams / liter of
water) at the above stress and rest periods at 7 to
10 days intervals based on the crop situation will be
benificial.
2. For improving boll set and development:
To prevent square drop, improving boll setting,
enhance boll development & boll weight, for improving
lint quality and pest and disease tolerance, Potassium
(K) application in association with Nitrogen & Boron
had proved efficient. Multi - K @ 1.5
to 2 % (15 to 20 grams / liter of water) with Boron
@ 0.1 % (One grams / liter of water) as foliar spray
has to be given during boll setting and boll development
phases at 7 to 10 days intervals based on the crop situation.
3. For Quick Rejuvenation:
The BT Cotton Hybrids can be quickly rejuvenated
for second and third phase of vegetative flush, square
formation and boll development for getting one or more
cycles of yield by foliar application of Polyfeed and
Multi-K. Two to three sprays of Polyfeed @
1.5 to 2 % (15 to 20 grams / liter of water) at 7 to
10 days intervals after the majority of bolls develop
fully for initiating vegetative growth. Multi
- K @ 1.5 to 2 % (15 to 20 grams / liter of
water) with Boron @ 0.1 % (One grams / liter of water)
two to three sprays at 7 to 10 days intervals at flowering
will enhance boll set and development
4. The general spray schedule with foliar
fertilizers is given below for a normal crop:
Sr. No |
Stages of Crop Growth
|
Soluble Fertilizer Recommended |
Quantity (litres) |
Days after flowering |
Or Days after Sowing |
1
|
15 days after flowering
|
75 days after sowing
|
Polyfeed (19-19-19)
|
10-20 gm
|
2
|
25 days after flowering
|
85 days after sowing
|
Polyfeed (19-19-19)
|
10-20 gm
|
3
|
35 days after flowering
|
95 days after sowing
|
Multi-K (13-0-45)
Boron
|
20 gm
1 gm
|
4
|
45 days after flowering
|
105 days after sowing
|
Multi-K (13-0-45)
Boron
|
20 gm
1 gm
|
Note: Stage of application
use Days after flowering (First column) or Days after
sowing (Second column)
5. Contingency sprays :
Under poor or problematic soil conditions,
stress conditions (Drought and Excess moisture) and
also to rejuvenate the crop after severe pest or disease
attack, timely sprays with Polyfeed and Multi-K
+ Boron at the doses indicated above will help
in compensating the yield losses.
SOIL FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATIONS IN TELANGANA
REGION DOSE AND CRITICAL STAGES OF APPLICATION
For soils with average fertility and with a targeted
yield of 7 to 10 Q of Kappas per acre (Average) and
assuming all the scientific recommendations in fertilizer
application and crop management practices are adopted.
Fertilizers |
Quantity (Kgs/ha) |
Nitrogen
|
120
|
Phosphorus
|
60
|
Potash
|
60
|
Zinc Sulphate
|
50
|
Calcium Nitrate
|
25 - 35
|
Apply entire P2O5 at land preparation or at sowing
in the form of Single Super Phosphate. Calcium Nitrate
application just after completion of germination will
improve root growth, branching and yields. Nitrogen
and Potash are given in three split doses at 30, 60
and 90 DAS as given below.
Schedule of fertilizers: (kg/ha)
1. Basal (before sowing )
SSP - 375 kg
Zinc Sulphate - 50 kg
Farm yard manure - 10-12 tons
Zinc Sulphate may be applied separately
and not along with SSP
2. 1st Top Dressing (10
to 15 Days after sowing)
Double OX Calcium Nitrate Field Grade -25 - 35 kg
3. 2nd Top Dressing (30
Days after sowing)
Nagarjuna Urea -90 kg
MOP -35 kg
4. 3rd Top Dressing (60
days after sowing )
Nagarjuna Urea -90 kg
MOP -35 kg
5. 4th Top Dressing (90
days after sowing )
Nagarjuna Urea -90 kg
MOP -35 kg
Tips:
- Phosphorous in the form of SSP as basal application
as furrow placement will not be lost and will improve
the soil condition. The Sulphur content in SSP will
be beneficial in improving the cotton seed oil content.
- Efficiency of nitrogen increases when the required
phosphorous is made available
- Application of Potassium increases the fiber maturity,
micronaire value and fiber uniformity
- Uptake of nutrients increases in case of balanced
nutrient application
TECHNOLOGY BASE:
Deficiency Symptoms in cotton:
Following signs of Potassium deficiency
appear in crop:
- Reduced ground cover by the crop canopy (lower leaf
area index)
- Increased leaf temperature when soil moisture seems
adequate (leaves warm to the touch)
- Increased incidence of Verticillium wilt
- Premature cutout or plant termination
- Reduction in yield
- Reduced lint turnout
- Loss in fiber quality
- Low fiber micronaire
- Decreased fiber maturity
- Reduced fiber strength
Potassium (K) is an extremely important
nutrient in cotton production
Bolls are major sinks for K. Thus, the need
for K increases dramatically during early boll set.
About 70 percent of uptake occurs after first bloom,
and uptake peaks at about 1-1.5 kg/Ac/day. Potassium
deficiency may be expressed as a full season deficiency,
or it may not appear until late season during the period
of greatest demand. When a heavy boll load is set, the
demand for K may exceed the ability of the soil and
leaves to supply this nutrient, results in deficiency.
As cotton boll numbers
increase and bolls enlarge, there is a tremendous translocation
demand on potassium (K) in the leaves adjacent to each
boll . If adequate K is not stored in each leaf, then
K deficiency will develop. If drought or restricted
root activity during reproductive growth hampers K nutrition,
K deficiencies can rapidly develop.
If the cotton stop yielding early in the
season, it means less total seed cotton to be harvested
and in some cases lower fiber quality. There can be
several causes for this. One is a shortage of potassium
(K) during late season boll development. The role of
K is to help keep leaves actively producing sugars (photosynthesis)
and then helping to move those sugars to the developing
bolls.
During the boll development Potash is not
available to plants due to its deficiency in soil or
due to non- availability of nutrients in soil due to
their fixation. This result in the sink source situation
on plant, forcing the plant to allow development of
the parts or bolls up to the extent only which it can
supply the nutrient. Hence, all seeds in boll do not
develop due to lack of nutrition. At harvest time, bolls
may be smaller and may not open properly. Low K can
reduce fiber length and it can also affect seeds and
other fiber quality traits. This dot like black aborted
seeds in lint are called Motes (aborted
seed embryo). It has two effects on yields of cotton:
- Development of few seeds in a boll (embryo abortion
of seeds i.e. Motes formation)
- Poor lint quality due to presence of motes, poor
lint strength, decreased fiber maturity and hence,
purchasers give lesser price for this cotton.
Nutrient Recommendations:
To reduce the risk of nutritional problem,
apply needed fertilizer pre-plant and/or side-dressed
according to crop need by growth stage. Then, check
fields often for unexpected nutrient shortages. Field
inspections and plant analysis can help to identify
mid-season nutrition shortages.
These nutrient problems can be prevented
or reduced, and economic returns can be improved, by
aggressive Potash fertilization during crop growth.
If plants are suspected of being short of K before blooming,
it may be possible to provide some correction with top
dressing of K fertilizer. However, care should be taken
to assure that leaves are dry when top-dressing, to
avoid fertilizer salt injury. Response to top-dressed
K application just before reproductive growth also depends
on adequate moisture from irrigation or rain to help
dissolve the K and allow it to move into the soil for
root uptake. The best way to K application at these
critical stages is Foliar feeding with Multi-K
On light soils, where potassium may leach,
potash applications should probably be deferred as basal
dose and my have to plan for top dressing and as foliar
feeding with Multi-K. Mid-season foliar
K fertilization (Multi-K) is often
effective in correcting late season deficiencies. Site-specific
potassium management will improve cotton yields and
quality.
When plant tissue K is in short supply on
high yielding hybrid cotton fields, the team of K, nitrogen
(N) and boron (B) can help to improve plant and boll
growth. Research has shown that common foliar K sources
perform best when solution pH is buffered to levels
between 4 and 6. Multi-K spray with Boron will take
care of the buffer requirements.
ROLE OF CALCIUM:
- Stimulates root and leaf development.
- Helps to reduce Nitrate nitrogen in the plant
- Activate enzyme systems in the plant
- Neutralize organic acids in the plant
- Nut development in pea nuts
- Reduces toxicity of Al, Fe and Mn in acid soils
- Increases microbial activity
- Required in large quantities for N fixing bacteria.
- Increases molybdenum availability and uptake of
other nutrients.
DIFICIENCY SYMPTOMS OF CALCIUM:
- Common symptom is poor root growth. Roots often
turn black and rot.
- Ca does not translocate in the plant and hence deficiencies
cause gelatinous leaf tips and growing points, since
new tissues need calcium pectate for cell wall formation.
- Ca deficiency is common in pea nuts and vegetables.
Extent of deficiency of Calcium:
- Soils containing less than 1.5 me exchangeable Ca
per 100 gms of soil or less than 25% of CEC occupied
by Ca are considered Ca deficient
- Ca deficiency is seen in acidic soils which occupy
1/3 of soils of India
CALCIUM IN SOIL:
- Ca content in soil ranges from 0.1% to 25%
- Calcareous soils have high levels of Ca
- Organic soils contain very little Ca and therefore
have less pH
- Clay soils contain more Ca than sandy soils
- Ca is most dominant cation in soil
- 70% of exchangeable complex contain Ca.
- Ca also is present in soil solution
CALCIUM SOURCES:
Calcium is available in CaO form in
Gypsum |
- 40% |
SSP |
- 25 - 30% |
Rock Phosphate |
- 38 - 48% |
CAN |
- 10 - 20% |
CALCIUM NITRATE:
Calcium Nitrate provides Nitrate nitrogen
which is the form preferred by most plants and when
the nitrogen is taken up the basic portion, calcium,
remains and combines with the insoluble acid clay, thus
neutralizing some of its acid and reducing its power
to liberate soluble acids.
For fertigation mixing calcium nitrate with
phosphorus materials can result in insoluble calcium
phosphate. In addition, calcium sulfate can precipitate
when calcium nitrate is mixed with magnesium sulfate.
To avoid these problems, one stock solution is prepared
with calcium nitrate and iron chelate.
Calcium Nitrate can be employed as readily
available fertilizers special for acid soil, as quick-effect
calcium replenishing agent for plant and as high quality
cultivation fertilizer. Therefore, it is entitled as
"Best Calcium for Plant "
OBJECTIVE OF FOLIAR FERTILIZATION:
To stimulate the production process of high
yielding crops by application at deficit / peak / critical
requirements
To promote crop growth under adverse conditions
(Stress)
Mechanism of Foliar Absorption:
- Assumed that nutrients enter the leaf only via the
stomata.
- The ectodiesmata, microscopic openings in the cell
walls and cuticle which extends to the outer surface
of the leaf also absorb nutrient solutions
- The cuticle itself swell on absorbing water and
also becomes permeable to dissolved substances tp
some extent.
- Since the stomata are mostly situated on the underside
of the leaf, for a rapid and complete up take of foliar
fertilizer it is necessary to spray both the underside
of the leaf and the upper surface as evenly as possible.
Ideal Period for Foliar Spray:
- The cuticle is more permeable when swollen.
- Foliar Fertilization should be carried out at times
when the relative humidity of the air is high i.e.
in the early hours of the morning and in the evening,
not during the hot hours of the day..
- Another advantage is, the spray deposit evaporates
more slowly and so there is less danger to the leaves
being burned by bright sunlight.
- The high humidity in the evenings and during the
nigh causes the nutrients from dried spray deposits
to be dissolved so that they can enter the leaf.
Rate of Uptake of Nutrients by Plant Leaves:
- The rate of uptake of most nutrients, including
potassium is taken up in the space of few hours or
up to one day.
- An exception to this is phosphate, which is taken
up relatively slowly. Never the less the uptake of
phosphate via the leaf is considerably better than
the uptake via the roots.
Relationship between Leaf Nutrient Content
and Plant Growth:
There is positive correlation between the
nutrient content of the leaf and the yield.
Optimum yields can only be achieved when
the nutrient level is above the critical level.
An excess of another cannot compromise for
a deficiency of one nutrient, on the contrary it shall
limit the yield on lower side.
When fertilizer is applied via soil the
nutrients must first be taken up by roots and are then
transported through the stem and petioles to the leaves.
This process takes time and the efficiency of the fertilizer
is reduced by nutrients being bound up in the soil and
older parts of the plant.
What is Foliar Application of Soluble Fertilizers?
- This refers to spraying of growing plants with suitable
fertilizers solutions these solutions may be prepared
in low concentration to supply any one-plant nutrient
or a combination of nutrients.
- It has been established that all plant nutrients
are absorbed through the leaves of plants and absorption
is remarkable rapid for some nutrients.
Why Foliar Application of Fertilizers?
Foliar feeding is one of the most efficient
ways of supplying essential nutrients to a growing crop.
It provides a method of delivering fundamental nutrients
at key growth stages when the plant can utilize them
the most.
- The nutrients are taken into the foliage and transported
to all parts of the plant in a short period of time.
Soil-applied nutrients depend upon moisture to dissolve
the fertilizer, and much of those nutrients are tied
up in the soil.
- A nutrient balance can be maintained by foliar feeding,
which may not occur with soil uptake. By foliar feeding
the plant, the nutrients are available to the growing
crop at key growth stages when the plant needs them
the most.
- Research has shown that foliar fed nutrients will
move upward and downward from the leaves to which
they were applied. This includes the top leaves to
the most distant roots with concentration in the most
critical parts of the plant.
- In the case of foliar application of fertilizers,
the nutrients are supplied directly to where they
are required. For this reason nutrients supply by
this method is considerably more effective than soil
fertilization.
Can Foliar Fertilization be a substitute
for Soil Application:
It is theoretically possible to feed a plant
completely via, the leaves. In practice, however so
many sprays would be required that the process would
be rendered uneconomical.
- The best use for foliar application is to cover
nutrient requirements during periods of intensive
growth and equal out short-term discrepancies between
the nutrient requirement of the plant and supply from
the soil. Such discrepancies may occur when the daily
nutrient needs of the crop exceed the ability of the
soil to supply it. A timely application of small amount
of foliar can equalize the discrepancy between the
supply and demand and enable the plants to achieve
its full yield potential.
- In cases of stress, such as water logging or drought,
high & low temperatures, disease etc. the uptake
of nutrients via the roots may be restricted. To counteract
this, nutrients may be supplied to the plant via leaves
for the duration of the stress period..
- If a spray is applied to control a pest or disease,
then the addition of foliar fertilizer along with
pesticide helps the plant to recover from the damage
more quickly (Compatibility may have to be checked).
- An additional advantage of foliar fertilization
is, it supplies nutrients directly to where they are
most required and where an increase in the nutrient
concentration is directly translated into an increase
in yield.. In most crops it is the younger and upper
parts of the plant which are particularly responsible
for yield development.
Foliar Fertilizers are not a substitute
for soil fertilization but an effective additional means
of supplying sudden demands.
Foliar application does not result in a
great saving (Cost), but it may be favored under following
conditions:
- When visual symptoms of nutrient deficiencies observed
during early stages of deficiency
- Unfavorable physical and chemical conditions of
soil reduce fertilizer use efficiency
- During flooding and drought conditions where in
soil application could not be done due to excess or
for want of moisture, foliar application of soluble
fertilizers is taken up.
- Under very high and uncontrollable weed population
conditions, foliar application of soluble fertilizers
is only option.
- Foliar soluble fertilizer application can be made
spraying plants with plant protection measures.
Certain difficulties in associated with
foliar application of nutrients as detailed below:
- Marginal leaf burn or scorching may occur if higher
doses of soluble fertilizer solution are used.
- As solutions of low concentrations (usually three
to six percent) are to be used only a small quantities
of nutrients can be applied in a single day.
- Several applications are needed for moderate to
high fertilizer rates.
Foliar spraying of fertilizers is costly
compared to soil application unless combined with other
spraying operations taken up for insect or disease control.
BT COTTON HYBRIDS OFFICIALLY PERMITTED FOR
MARKETING BY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA IN AP FROM FOLLOWING
COMPANIES:
1. Mahyco Monsanto Hybrids (Permitted
during last two years and now under review)
- MECH-162 - Normal leaf hybrid
- MECH-12 - Okra leaf type hybrid
- MECH-184 - Okra leaf type hybrid
All above hybrids have maturity period of 140 days and
been allowed to be marketed in Southern India except
AP.
2. Rassi Seed Company, Attur
RCH -2 - Normal leaf hybrid
RCH-20 - Normal leaf hybrid
This hybrid has a maturity period of 160 days.
3 Nuziveedu Seeds Limited Hyderabad
:
- NCS-145 (bunny)
- NCS-207 (Mallika)
Both are 160-day hybrids There are few other hybrids
which are in pipeline for release to cultivators and
may be given approvals by Government of India for marketing
from 2006 Kharif season.