Performance of cotton under varied plant densities and spatial arrangements

Abstract

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Cv. SATU 85, was grown at five row spacings, three intra-row spacings and thinned to either one or two plants per stand at Serere Agricultural and Animal Production Research Institute (SAARI), Uganda during the 1993 and 1994 cotton seasons. Plants spaced widely within the rows produced more monopodia, sympodia and bolls per plant, but fewer per m². Fewer fruiting bodies aborted with the widely spaced rows. Leaf area indices (LAI) were highest with narrowly spaced plants and LAI decreased with increased row and intra-row widths. Total seed cotton yields from the row spacings of 60, 75 and 90 cm did not differ significantly but yield was higher and lower respectively, with 105 cm and 45 cm row spacings. Graded (“sail”) seed cotton yield was not significantly affected by row spacing. Seed cotton yield, both total and graded, decreased as intra-row spacing increased.