Cotton ‘the king of apparel fibers’

Cotton ‘the king of apparel fibers’ is an important cash crop and it supplies a major share of raw
material for the textile industry and playing a key role in the economic and social affairs of the
world (Anonymous, 2010; Hosamani et al., 2013). It is grown chiefly for its fibre which is used
in the manufacture of cloths, making of threads and extraction of oil from cotton seed
(Deshmukh et al., 2013). The cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), an important fibre crop, is
grown throughout India under both rainfed and irrigated conditions on an area of 9.5 million ha
(Mayee et al., 2008; Yang et al., 2014). India ranks first in area and production is far below the
world average of over 600 kg haG1 (Gadhiya et al., 2009).
The cultivation of cotton is increasing day by day in North Saurashtra Agro-climatic zone due
to change in rainfall pattern, sustained price at higher level, demand for export and introduction
of pest resistant variety. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are primary element to increase of
agricultural crop production. Among these, nitrogen is one of the decisive as well as expensive
inputs, which has quickest and most pronounced effect on plant growth. As a constituent of protoplasm, it is intimately involved in the process of photosynthesis and ultimately, in the dry
matter production. The organic manures plays an important role in crop production (Usman et al.,
2013). It acts on the soil physical properties, organic matter promotes formation of soil crumbs, thus
makes the soil friable and the thereby facilitates the proper movement of air and water as well as
absorption of rain water. It also adds plant nutrients to the soil during organic matter
decomposition which act on the insoluble nutrients reserve in the soil and make them available
biologically as it provides food for the beneficial soil microorganisms. At present acute problems of
reddening of cotton are observed (Das et al., 2004). Keeping in view, the experiment was planned
to study the effect of integrated nutrient management in Bt cotton for sustaining yield and soil
fertility under dry farming conditions.