Soil application of boron impacts its solubility, yield and fibre quality of cotton in calcareous soils of North-western India

Abstract

Aim: To investigate that application of boron (0-2.5 mg kg-1 soil, as borax and granubor) to calcareous soil in North-western India affectes its solubility in soil, yield and fibre quality characters of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Methodology: A field study was conducted to estimate and enumerate the influence of B application (as borax and granubor @ 0-2.5 mg B kg-1 soil; B0-B2.5) on cotton yield and yield contributing attributes ascribed to change in different fractions of variable solubility in B deficient (available B=0.21 mg kg-1) calcareous sandy loam soil. This field experiment was set up in a plot size of 2.7m X 3.75 m with three replications arranged in RBD in factorial combinations. Results: Mean lint and cotton seed yield increased significantly under B1.0, compared with control (B0). Boron concentration in roots, leaves, petioles, bolls, sympodial and monopodial branches, seeds and lint increased significantly (p<0.05) with 1.0 mg B kg-1 application (B1.0). Boron application (B2.0) significantly augmented the mean uniformity ratio by ~4.8%, compared with B0, while the fibre strength and staple length increased significantly in B1.5 treatment. The micronaire value of lint decreased significantly from 4.84 (in B0) to 4.25 µg inch-1 in B2.5 treated plots. Boron application caused notable augmentation in B concentration in its reservoirs/pools of variable solubility; oxide bound fraction being smallest (~0.34% of total B), while residual B the largest fraction (~95% of total B). Boron sources had meagre affect and did not vary remarkably for B concentration in different vegetative plant parts, cotton yield and contributing attributes and B fractions of variable solubility in calcareous soil. Interpretation: The findings of study divulged that soil applied B significantly augmented cotton yield and its yield contributing attributes owing to augmented solubility of B in a calcareous soil. Different B fractions evinced a significant (p<0.05) relationship with yield attributes, indicating their significance for increased B uptake which impacts the seed cotton yield in a calcareous soil. These experimental outcomes highlight the overwhelming significance of soil application of B for increased cotton productivity with improved fibre quality.