Research Article

Effect of Growth Regulator and Ultra-Narrow Row (Unr) Spacing on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Cotton

Sikander Hiyat1, Nazim Hussain1, Muhammad Ishaq Asif Rehmani2*, Muhammad Nasir Abbas2, Smana Raza3, Javed Shabbir Dar4 and Tauqeer Ahmad Yasir5

1Department of Agronomy, Bahuddin Zakaryia University, Multan, Pakistan; 2Department of Agronomy, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan; 3Department of Soil Science, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan; 4Department of Agronomy, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Agricultural College, Dokri, Pakistan; 5Department of Agronomy, Sub-Campus Layyah, Bahuddin Zakaryia University, Multan, Pakistan.

Received | December 16, 2018; Accepted | March 08, 2020; Published | August 01, 2020

*Correspondence | Muhammad Ishaq Asif Rehmani, Department of Agronomy, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan; Email: dr.rehmani.mia@hotmail.com

Citation | Hiyat, S., N. Hussain, M.I.A. Rehmani, M.N. Abbas, S. Raza, J.S. Dar and T.A. Yasir. 2020. Effect of growth regulator and ultra-narrow row (Unr) spacing on growth, yield and yield components of cotton. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 33(3): 561-569.

DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjar/2020/33.3.561.569

Keywords | Cotton, Planting geometery, Mepiquat chloride, Row spacing, Phenology, Yield attributes

Introduction

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is major cash crop of Pakistan and excellent source of generating income on international platform (Amin et al., 2017; GoP, 2018; Sajjad et al., 2015). Cotton plant is unique in a sense that it contains perennial and indeterminate growth habit (Oosterhuis, 2001; Prewitt et al., 2018). It plays a dynamic role in crop farming system, industrial level, employment, financial strength and economically feasibility in the country. Globally it provides raw material to the textile industries (Kili et al., 2005), spindles and units of oil expelling (Ahmad et al., 2009). Cotton crop is planted approximately in 76 major countries, that cover the area of 32 mha of soil including the several ecological circumstances worldwide and world cotton trade is almost US $21 billion yearly (Saranga et al., 2001). Cotton is the main source of crude oil and fiber material. it is fifth largest oil seed crop which covers the 40.0% need for the textile (APTMA, 2012) and 3.4% of cooking oil correspondingly. In Pakistan it is main cash and fiber crop which is major source of foreign exchange and other agricultural products (Ali et al., 2009).

In cotton, ultra-narrow rows (UNR) spacings have been found to produce higher yield (14.4%) as compared to the row spacing used in conventional type of production systems (Brodrick et al., 2010; Nawaz et al., 2016). UNR initially considered as a way of improving yield potential in lower production system where less plant population did not fully consume the planting area (Kerby et al., 1996; Nawaz et al., 2016). In a unit area yield potential is sustained due to the higher plant population in ultra-narrow row system (Lewis, 1971). In UNR system, yield component factor found that this was related to the high fruiting production per unit area in ultra-narrow row system and that crop is related to the conventional crop system increasing in boll number per plant and ultimately production is effected by the available assimilates (Clawson, 2006).

Mepiquat chloride [N,N-1 dimethyl peridiniume chloride], a quaternary ammonium compound which is used as plant growth retardant, that has been commonly employed on cotton crop to alter its architecture and to increase fruit retention (Nawaz et al., 2019; Yan et al., 2019). Steve et al. (2003) reported that mepiquat chloride was introduced to the market in the late 1971’s as plant growth regulator by decreasing the crop height, branch length, number of nodes, leaf area and suppress the excessive plant growth. Plant growth regulator effect the significant role in cotton production, as a result of optimizing input in cotton yield, under favorable sowing condition plants usually become highly vegetative and tall (Abbas et al., 2010). Plants of cotton treated with stance and mepiquat chloride (plant growth regulator) are usually more dense (McConnell et al., 1992), produce fewer reproductive branches, shortened internodes and have fewer nodes in plants (Stewart et al., 2001).

Application of mepiquat chloride on cotton crop usually gives the result in more dense plant (Nichols et al., 2003) resultant from less stem growth, minimum node formation, less growth of leaf, and also area of the leaf (Pettigrew and Johnson, 2005). Yield responses to mepiquat chloride application seem to be associated to environmental features encountered by the plant throughout the growing season. Favorable yield responses are most typically related with conditions that favor the maximum initial growth such as maximum rain fall, thick stand and high nitrogen rate. Uniform decrease in plant growth may be expected in conventional (Pettigrew and Johnson, 2005) and UNR cotton yield potential (Nichols et al., 2003), however, crop yield will be maximum (Biles and Cothren, 2001) is denied by investigation showing no feedback or no effect at all (Zhao and Oosterhuis, 2000).

Many techniques and different strategies for applying plant growth regulator to control plant height. The main aim of this research is to manipulate plant population and mepiquat chloride to restrict plant height and vegetative growth to improve yield.

Materials and Methods

To check the effect of different row spacing and application of mepiquat chloride on cotton crop, a field experiment was conducted at the Agronomic Research Area, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahuddin Zakaryia University, Multan, Pakistan (71.50 °E, 30.26 °N and altitude 123 m), during summer season of 2016. Experimental soil was sandy loam with pH.7.9 and EC 1.5 dsm-1, containing 702 ppm total nitrogen, 3 ppm total phosphorus, and 0.22 ppm total potassium. The experiment was carried out under randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement. Experiment treatments including the row spacing were carried out three levels 25, 50 and 75 cm at main plot. Sub plot was considered two levels of mepiquat chloride, control (MQC0, water spray, without mepiquat chloride) and 0.61 L ha-1. (MQC1). Each experimental unit was of net plot size 4.2 ×10.04 m2.

In this experiment cotton cultivar Lalazar was used experimental material. Seed bed preparation was done by using cultivator followed by planking. Soil contained adequate moisture at the time of sowing. Seeds were manually sown. Plant population was maintained by gap filling (12 days after sowing) and thinning (21 days after sowing). Plant densities of 198000 (RS1, 25 cm), 99908 (RS2, 50 cm) and 65602 (RS3, 75 cm) were recorded in different row spacing treatments. Local plant protection recommendations were followed to keep crop free of weeds, insects and diseases. Crop was irrigated as and when required to avoid moisture stress. Uniform crop management were applied for all experimental units, except treatments described above.

The crop was harvested in last week of October, 2016. Data were recorded on plant height (cm), plant population (m-2), densities of monopodial and sympodial branches plant-1, numbers of square, nodes and flowers plant-1, No. of nodes plant-1, flowers plant -1, bolls plant-1, open bolls plant-1, un-open bolls plant-1, seed cotton yield kg ha-1, cotton seed yield kg ha-1 and Lint yield kg ha-1. First picking was done when 60 % bolls were open and second harvesting was done after 20 days of first picking.

Data collected was analyzed statistically by using Fisher’s analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques with the help of Statistix 8.1 software. Duncan’s multiple test (DMRT) was applied to separately treatments means at 5% level of probability (Steel and Torrie, 1980).

Results and Discussion

Plant height

Results presented in Table 1 showed variations in cotton plant height when sown under varying row spacing and mepiquat chloride treatment. Among the different row spacing treatments, plants grown at wider row spacing (RS=75cm) were tallest and plant height gradually reduced with the reduction in row spacing. Application of mepiquat chloride caused significant reduction in the height of cotton plants as compared with the untreated plants, overall more than 13% reduction in plant height was observed with the treatment of mepiquat chloride (0.61 L ha-1). Interaction of treatment showed that tallest plants (114.0) were produced when cotton plants were grown at widest row spacing and without application of mepiquat chloride (RS3 ×MQC0), whereas shortest plants (95.47 cm) were produced under UNR and mepiquat chloride treatment (RS1×MQC1).

Significant effect of mepiquat chloride and UNR was observed on plant height of cotton. Increased availability of nutrients, aerial space and better light penetration in the crop canopy to flourish to better partitioning of photo-assimilates and increasing metabolic activity resulting in taller in conventional space system as compared to UNR. Similar results were also predicted by Darawsheh et al. (2009), Saleem et al. (2009) and Lentz (2002). Similar reduction in plant height reductions of plant height associated with the mepiquat chloride application has been reported by Shahr and Mirshekar (2015).

Table 1: Effect of row spacing and mepiquat chloride on vegetative growth parameters of cotton.

		MQC0	MQC1 ­	Mean
Plant height (cm)	RS1	110.47b	95.47c	102.97b
	RS2	110.93b	97.20c	104.07ab
	RS3	114.00a	96.87c	105.43a
Plant population (m-2)	RS1	23.33a	20.33b	21.83a
	RS2	13.33c	13.33c	13.33b
	RS3	6.16d	6.16d	6.16c
Monopodial branches plant-1	RS1	1.66d	1.40d	1.53c
	RS2	2.06c	2.33c	2.20b
	RS3	3.80b	4.26a	4.03a
Sympodial branches plant-1	RS1	6.46b	6.00b	6.23b
	RS2	7.067b	7.00b	7.033b
	RS3	12.20a	13.20a	12.700a
No. of square plant-1	RS1	1.066cd	0.86d	0.96c
	RS2	2.00c	1.86cd	1.93b
	RS3	4.40b	5.93a	5.16a
No. of nodes plant-1	RS1	70.00c	69.33c	69.67c
	RS2	86.33b	83.87b	85.10b
	RS3	102.33a	98.73a	100.53a

MQC0: without mepiquat chloride, Control; MQC1: mepiquat chloride 0.61 liter ha-1; RS1: Row spacing 25 cm; RS2: Row spacing 50 cm; RS3: Row spacing 75 cm.

Plant population

Plant population increased with the decrease in inter-plant spacing, therefore maximum plant population (21.83) was observed in UNR and decrease with increase in plant spacing reaching minimum (6.16) in wider rowed plants (RS3). Mepiquat chloride application showed non-significant influence on plant population (m-2). Treatment interactions showed that maximum plant population density (23.33) was observed in cotton plants were grown without application of mepiquat chloride under UNR (RS1×MQC0).

Niakan et al. (2012) and Sibert et al. (2006) also reported non-significant impact of mepiquat chloride application on population density, because it inhibits growth without causing plant mortality. Significant effect row spacing of plant population density can be attributed to plantation of more plants in UNR planting system. These findings are supported by previous studies carried by Zaxos et al. (2012) and Avgoulas et al. (2005).

Cotton plant branches

Data regarding monopodial branches plant-1 indicated that density of these branches decreases with reduction in row spacing (Table 1). Maximum number (4.03) of monopodial branches were produced in cotton plants grown at widest row spacing used in this study (RS3) and minimum average was (1.53) was observed under UNR. Application of mepiquat chloride caused non-significant influence on production on monopodial branches. However, Interaction between mepiquat chloride × UNR was remained significant. Interaction of treatment showed that density of monopodial branches was maximum (4.26) were produced when cotton plants were grown at widest row spacing and treated with the mepiquat chloride (RS3 ×MQC1). Nichols et al. (2003) also reported non-significant effect of mepiquat chloride application on density of monopodial branches (plant-1). Significant variation among the production of monopodial branches under varying row spacing is in agreement with the previous reports (Clawson et al., 2006; Ferrari et al., 2014). They noted that conventional spaced plants sprayed with growth promoters gave more number of monopodial branches than UNR spaced cotton plant.

Sympodial branches

Impact on mepiquat chloride on density of sympodial branches (plant-1) remained non-significant (Table 1). Average density of sympodial branches was non-significantly higher (8.733) in mepiquat chloride treated plants as compared to untreated plants (8.576). However, row spacing significantly altered density of sympodial branches, which gradually decreased with decreasing row spacing. Density of sympodial branches was maximum (12.7) under conventional row spacing (RS3) and minimum (6.23) under UNR. Interaction of treatment showed that maximum density of sympodial branches (13.2) was recorded in cotton plants grown at widest row spacing (RS3) and treated with mepiquat chloride (RS3 ×MQC1).

Significant effect of UNR was observed on cotton that can be attributed to active uptake of nutrients to form photosynthates which actively translocated to different plant components and strengthening photosynthates supply for cell division and elongation of apical meristem in growing parts leading to better development of branches. These results are in agreement with the findings of Boquet (2005) and Donald (2005).

Squares per plants

Both mepiquat chloride and row spacing caused significant influence on the production on squares in cotton plants (Table 2). Maximum density of squares (5.16 squares plat-1) was obtained in 75 cm apart and minimum (0.96 squares plat-1) in UNR spacing (25 cm). Interaction of treatment showed that maximum square density (5.93) was recorded in cotton plants at widest row spacing (RS3) and treated with mepiquat chloride (RS3 ×MQC1). Although density of squares is genetically controlled, however factors such as population density can influence. This finding is accordance with Sibert and Stewart (2006) and McConell et al. (1992). They documented that conventionally spaced cotton plant produced more numbers of squares as compared to UNR.

Nodes per plant

Application of mepiquat chloride showed non-significant influence on nodes (plant-1) (Table 2). However, row spacing showed significant effect on nodes. Maximum nodes (100.53) were obtained when cotton plants were grown at 75 cm spacing and minimum (69.67) in UNR treatment. Interaction of treatment showed that maximum nodes (102.33) were produced when cotton plants were grown at widest row spacing and without application of mepiquat chloride (RS3 ×MQC0). However, nodes were minimum (69.33) in plants grown at UNR and treated with mepiquat chloride (RS1 ×MQC3). Plant growth regulators promote cell multiplication and elongation help development of more branches on nodes (Iqbal et al., 2012). Khan et al. (2015) has given convincing proof of significant effect of UNR on nodes plant-1.

Flowers

Application of mepiquat chloride and UNR significantly influenced no. of flowers plant-1 compared with the untreated plant (Table 2). Considering the row spacing, maximum value of average density of flowers was observed in cotton plants grown at wider rows (RS3) which gradually reduced with decreasing row spacing, reaching minimum (0.333) under UNR (Table 2). Maximum number of flowers plant-1 (0.84) was obtained where mepiquat chloride was applied as compared to control treatment (0.67). Interaction of treatments indicated that flower density was the highest (1.2) in the cotton plants grown at conventional row spacing and treated with mepiquat chloride (RS3 ×MQC1) and minimum (0.2) under UNR and without application of mepiquat chloride (RS1 ×MQC0).

Table 2: Effect of row spacing and mepiquat chloride on reproductive and yield parameters of cotton.

		MQC0	MQC1 ­	Mean
No. of flowers plant -1	RS1	0.200e	0.466d	0.333c
	RS2	0.733c	0.866bc	0.800b
	RS3	1.066ab	1.200a	1.133a
No. of bolls plant -1	RS1	4.40d	5.66d	5.03c
	RS2	7.66c	8.60c	8.13b
	RS3	19.80a	16.86b	18.33a
Open bolls plant-1	RS1	0.93b	0.93b	0.93b
	RS2	1.86b	1.26b	1.56b
	RS3	7.20a	6.20a	6.70a
Un open bolls plant -1	RS1	3.46c	4.93bc	4.200c
	RS2	5.80bc	7.33b	6.56b
	RS3	12.600a	10.66a	11.633a
Seed cotton yield kg ha-1	RS1	3576.5b	3521.0b	3548.8a
	RS2	3362.5b	3740.8ab	3551.7a
	RS3	4108.2a	3549.8b	3829.0a
Cotton seed yield kg ha-1	RS1	2279.5b	2243.3b	2261.4a
	RS2	2144.5b	2383.8ab	2264.2a
	RS3	2616.5a	2262.5b	2439.5a

MQC0: without mepiquat chloride; Control; MQC1: mepiquat chloride 0.61 liter ha-1; RS1: Row spacing 25 cm; RS2: Row spacing 50 cm; RS3: Row spacing 75 cm.

Application of mepiquat chloride significantly influenced no. of flowers plant-1 compared with the untreated plant. They result of present study is also in line with the conclusions of earlier studies carried by Abbas et al. (2010) and Iqbal et al. (2012). They noticed that plant with proper space have no competition on its basic growth necessities, whereas plants grown at shorter row spacing experiences interplant competition leading to variations in production of flowers. Less no. of flowers plant-1 was due to plants competition for light, nutrients, water and space due to inters specific competition causing less flowering. These results are in line with Killi et al. (2016) and Nuti et al. (2008) they reported production of fewer flowers in UNR as compared to conventional spacing.

Bolls

The data (Table 2) indicated non-significant result of mepiquat chloride on density of bolls (plant-1). However, row spacing significantly affected boll density of cotton plants. Density of bolls was maximum (18.33) in the plants when spaced 75 cm apart and decreased significantly with decreasing row spacing, reaching lowest (5.03) under UNR treatment. Interaction between mepiquat chloride and row spacing was also significant. Considering treatment interaction, maximum bolls (19.8) were produced when cotton plants were grown at widest row spacing and without application of mepiquat chloride (RS3 ×MQC0). Contrarily minimum bolls (4.4) were produced on plants grown at UNR without mepiquat chloride treatment (RS1 ×MQC0).

Number of bolls plant per plant is a critical yield contributing parameter to assess the yield of seed cotton (Feng et al., 2017). The data of current study indicated non-significant result of mepiquat chloride on number of bolls (plant-1) as reported by Rethwisch et al. (2010) and Bibi et al. (2012). However, UNR spacing affected significantly on no. of bolls (plant-1). Increase in number of bolls plant-1 is due to increased yield potential of fruiting points and declined in shedding of floral parts as a result of increased meristematic activity by auxin as reported by Quigley et al. (2015) and Brodrick et al. (2010).

Data about production of open bolls showed that treatment of mepiquat chloride had no significant influence on production of open-bolls. However, significant influence of row spacing on open bolls plant-1 was observed. Maximum open bolls (6.7) were observed in plant when spaced 75 cm apart as compared UNR (0.93), which was statistically similar with the open-bolls produced under RS2 (1.56). Interaction of treatments showed that density of open bolls was maximum (7.2) produced in the experimental plot with wider row spacing and mepiquat chloride treatment (RS3 × MQC0). However, minimum density of bolls (0.93) was produced in plants grown at UNR without any influence of mepiquat chloride application (RS1 × MQC0/ MQC1).

The impact of mepiquat chloride showed no effect on number of open bolls plant-1 significantly, consistent with the results reported earlier (Yeats et al., 2002; Stewart et al., 2001). They reported non-significant result of mepiquat chloride on no. of bolls plant-1. Conventional plant spacing showed significant effect on open bolls plant-1 as compared to UNR. The results of current study also in favor with the findings of previous of studies carried by Ali et al. (2010) and Cheema et al. (2004) they noted that conventional spacing produced more number of open bolls plant-1 than UNR.

Similar to the total bolls and open-bolls, density of un-opened bolls was also significantly influenced by row spacing. Maximum density of un-open bolls (11.63 plant-1) obtained where 75 cm spacing was kept as compared to UNR producing fewest (4.20) un-open bolls. Interaction of treatments showed that maximum density of un-open bolls (12.6) was recorded in the cotton plants grown at widest row spacing without mepiquat chloride application (RS3 ×MQC0). Minimum density of un-open bolls (12.6) was found in the cotton plants grown at UNR spacing without mepiquat chloride treatment (RS1 ×MQC0). Current study shows non-significant effect of both mepiquat chloride and plant spacing on no. of un-open bolls plant-1 as reported by Iqbal and Islam (2007). Similar results were presented by Larson et al. (2004) and Jost and Cothren (2001) as they reported fewer un-open bolls were produced as compared to conventionally sown cotton.

Cotton yield

Data on seed cotton, cotton seed yield (kg ha-1) indicated non-significant influence of mepiquat chloride, UNR spacing and interactive result of mepiquat chloride × UNR on seed cotton yield (Kg ha-1) (Table 2). This result is in line with those of Balkcom et al. (2010), Nichols et al. (2003) and Boquet (2005). They reported non-significant differences of application of mepiquat chloride, UNR spacing and their interactive effect on seed cotton, cotton seed and lint yield. Data collected on cotton seed, seed cotton and lint yield (kg ha-1) showed that effect of application of mepiquat chloride and UNR remained non-significant. Iqbal and Islam (2007) and Gwathmey et al. (2010) also reported non-significant effect of mepiquat chloride and UNR on bolls plant-1 respectively. Although application of mepiquat chloride reported to decrease cotton yield under late planting (Tung et al., 2018).

Conclusions and Recommendations

Based on results presented in current study it is concluded that application of mepiquat chloride proved effective to control the vegetative growth of cotton plant in order to accelerate reproductive growth. It caused shorter plants height and maximum bolls and increased seed cotton yield. Cotton grown at ultra-narrow row spacing of 75 cm spaced plants flourished more and bear maximum fruits and yield ultimately. Hence the application of mepiquat chloride on 75 cm spaced grown plant is proved to be effective in order to improve cotton yield. Conclusion made from this experiment is, in regard to obtain potential lint yield and fiber quality, application of plant growth regulators and ultra-narrow row systems was appeared to be a viable alternative approach for successful cotton production.

Acknowledgement

No financial support was obtained to conduct this study.

Author’s Contribution

Sikander Hiyat: Conceived the idea, designed and conducted the study, analyzed data, wrote initial draft of manuscript. Nazim Hussain: Conceived the idea, designed, supervised and managed the study. Muhammad Ishaq Asif Rehmani: Monitored experimentation, analyzed the data, wrote and revised the manuscript. Muhammad Nasir Abbas and Smana Raza: Assisted experimentation and data collection. Javed Shabbir Dar: Technical input, writing and revision of manuscript. Tauqeer Ahmad Yasir: Performed data analysis and participated in manuscript writing (results and Discussion).

Conflict of interest

There is no conflict of interest.

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