Foliar Applied Boron not only Enhances Seed Cotton Yield but also Improves Fiber Strength and Fineness of Cotton Cultivars

摘要

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is as famous as “White Gold” due to its high quality fiber. Boron (B) is one of the essential micronutrients involved directly or indirectly in many plant processes. Cotton growth, yield and quality are intensely influenced with B application. A two years field based study was conducted to explore the impact of foliar applied B (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg ha~(-1)) on productivity and quality of cotton cultivars (FH-113, MNH-786, and CIM-496). Outcomes of theexperiment reflected that application of various levels of B significantly influences the growth and quality attributes of cotton cultivars. Crop growth rate, plant height, sympodial branches per plant, seed cotton weight per boll, and seed cotton yieldwere recorded at maximum by application of B at 1.5 kg ha~(-1) during both growing seasons. Quality parameters including fiber strength and fineness were also improved by foliar application at 1.5 kg ha' . Among the cotton cultivars, FH-113 performed better regarding productivity, yield, and quality of produce during the years of cultivation. Maximum field benefits or net returns were obtained by foliar applied B at 1.5 kg ha~(-1) in cultivar FH-113 during experimental years. Findings of the experimentindicated that foliar application of B at 1.5 kg ha~(-1) is considered economical to produce good quality of fiber with enhanced seed cotton yield.