Cottonseed Yield and its Quality as Affected by Mineral Nutrients and Plant Growth Retardants

Stand establishment of cotton seedlings is one of the most critical stages in cotton production. Cotton-seed quality is affected, to a large extent, by the indeterminate growth habit of the cotton plant, which allows seed to set and develop across an extended period of time. Seed vigor and viability are important components influencing seedling establishment, crop growth, and productivity. Any factor that negatively affects seed vigor and viability during seed development will have adverse consequences on crop production. Plant nutrition using a balanced fertilization programmer with both macro- and micro-nutrients has become very important in the production of high-quality seed. Plant growth retardants (PGR,s) represent diverse chemistries and mode of action, and provide numerous possibilities for altering crop growth and development, provide farmers with a new management tool for controlling undesirable vegetative growth, and to balance vegetative and reproductive growth as well as to improve yield and its quality [1]. Seed quality is one of the most important factors for stand establishment in cotton (Gossypium Sp.), and the use of good quality seeds is therefore essential to obtain an optimum plant population. Conditions prevailing during seed formation can affect the quality of seed produced, and hence crop establishment in the next growing season. These conditions can affect the germination of the seeds and the ability of the seedlings to emerge from soil, these being the most critical stages during the life cycle of cotton plant. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), foliar application of zinc (Zn) and calcium (Ca), the use of plant growth retardants (PGR’s) [e.g., 1, 1-dimethyl piperidinium chloride (MC); 2-chloroethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CC); or succinic acid 2, 2-dimethyl hydrazide (SADH)], during square initiation and boll setting stage, on growth, seed yield, seed viability, and seedling vigor of cotton [1].