Abstract

Micronutrients and supplemental irrigations were evaulated in split plot design to improve hybrid cotton micronaire in last picking. Farmer's practices (FP) of sole hybrid cotton, soybean+pigeon pea (4:1) and cotton + pigeon pea (8:2) stripcroppings were compared alongwith soybean as intercrop in the existing cotton+pigeonpea stripcropping (8:2) for micronutrient requirement, rain water conservation and profitability. Soybean cultivation is best suited and most profitable in shallow soils of <0.45 m deep. Novel strip cropping of cotton + soybean + pigeon pea (4:4:2) alongwith opening of conservation furrow in pigeon pea with a profitability of 41 and 58% over sole cotton in shallow and medium deep soils. Micronutrients requirement was not arise with moderate cotton yield levels of sole and strip cropped cotton as INM application 5 t FYM ha^-1 year^-3,  compared to its absence in farmer’s fields improved 15 to 35% seed cotton yield in Bt hybrid cotton under rainfed and two supplemental irrigations. Significant responses were observed for supplemental irrigations in low rainfall years alongwith Mn, B application in improving micronaire, seed cotton yield and profitability. Premium range of cotton micronaire was produced in last pick under rainfed and two supplemental irrigations in shallow and medium soils by Mn and B at 0.5 and 0.3% foliar spray 3 times after square initiation at fortnightly interval. Soil application of MnSO₄ at 25 kg ha^-1 year^-3 and Borax at 10 kg ha^-1 year^-3, respectively in rainfed calcareous shallow and medium deep soils along with supplemental irrigations could improve micronaire.

Key words: Boron, conservation furrow, hybrid cotton, manganese, medium deep soils,  micronaire, pigeon pea, profitability, strip cropping, soybean, shallow soils, supplemental irrigations.

Abbreviation

ICAR, Indian Council of Agricultural Research; LGP, length of growing period; VJAS, Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti; NGO, Nagpur.