Interactive effect of nitrogen and boron on cotton yield and fiber quality.

摘要

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of application rates of N and B on cotton yield and fibre quality. Suregrow 125 (Gossypium hirsutum) was grown on a clay soil having an average 0.38 mg/kg B concentration. Analysis of leaf tissue taken at early bloom and before the nutrient application indicated that N and B concentrations were sufficient. Nitrogen was applied to the soil at rates of 0, 80 and 160 kg/ha, and B was applied to the foliage 3 times for totals of 0, 0.56 and 1.12 kg B/ha. Foliar-applied B significantly increased leaf blade B concentration in both years. Foliar-B sprays significantly increased boll number, boll weight, seed cotton and lint yield. The application of 1.12 kg/ha B and 160 kg/ha N resulted in the highest number of bolls. B increased boll weight from 5.93 to 6.92 g/boll and boll bearing from 15.9 to 18.5 bolls per plant in 2003. Consequently, B application resulted in 15.5% increased crop yield over the control. Neither N nor B treatments had any significant effect on fibre properties. This study demonstrated that cotton needed supplemental B when the soil B concentration was low.