Total dry matter accumulation, dry matter partitioning and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in high density planting system and canopy management operations in Bt cotton under rainfed situation

The field investigation titled “Total dry matter accumulation, dry matter partitioning and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in high density planting system and canopy management operations in Bt cotton under rainfed situation.” was accomplished at the Cotton Research Farm, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola throughout the Kharif season 2024-2025. Three separate trials were set up using a Randomized Block Design to set up the experiment. Eight different treatments were applied, each involving different methods of managing the plant canopy and varying level of HDPS. Experimental results revealed that, mepiquat chloride @45ppm at square initiation and 15 days after first spray had highest total dry matter accumulation at harvest (199.17 g/plant) and dry matter distribution to different plant components of cotton. At harvest, significantly higher dry matter accumulation of leaves (23.79), stem (55.07) and fruting bodies (120.31) was recorded in treatment T5 (Mepiquat chloride @45ppm at square initiation and 15 days after first spray). The total nutrient uptake of nitrogen (76.83 kg ha-1), phosphorus (24.40 kg ha-1) and potassium (56.84 kg ha-1) was seen highest with the application of the mepiquat chloride @45ppm at square initiation and 15 days after first spray.