Abstract:

In order to find out the equitable fertilization modes and potassium amount, the field experiments were done to improve the yield and quality of cotton, and its resources optimization management at the same time. The effects of rate and way of potassium application on biomass, yield and fiber quality of cotton were studied using hybrid variety H318 on Lukou experimental station of Ezhou. Two factors including 5 potassium fertilizer application levels and 2 kinds of potassium fertilizer way were set up. The results showed that, biomass and yield of cotton increased with potassium fertilizer application rates, but slightly declined when potassium fertilizer application exceeded 120 kg/hm2. There was no significant difference on fiber quality between 5 potassium fertilizer application and 2 fertilizer way. Compared with soil-applied in single treatment (all at first square), biomass and yield of cotton were higher under potassium soil-applied in split treatment (1/2 at first square and 1/2 at first white flower). The maximum seed cotton yield was observed under potassium fertilizer application of 120 kg/hm2 with all of the K fertilizer soil-split at first square and first white flower. In single treatment, application of potassium fertilizer produced significant difference in seed weight and all quality index (except the upper-half mean length) of mean fiber. In split-applied treatment, there was a marked difference in biomass, yield and yield components, fiber uniformity, micronaire reading and fiber strength of lower fiber among K2O application in this study.