Phosphorus High-rate application through band placement improved cotton productivity under arid climate

The plant-available soil phosphorus rate and methods for applying phosphatic fertilizer and soil P-fixation capacity are critical factors for lower cotton productivity in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Hence, a two-year study was conducted in Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, Pakistan, to examine the effects of various P rates and application methods on cotton crop output during the growing seasons of 2014 and 2015. Phosphorus was applied in four rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha^-1 P₂O₅) using broadcast, band application, and fertigation methods. Results indicated that the impact of P rates was statistically significant on plant height, the number of nodes, monopodial and sympodial branches, leaf area index, harvest index, and seed cotton yield. The greater P application (120 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1) had a better effect on cotton productivity than the lower application rates (0, 40, and 80 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1). The band application responded better on nodes plant^-1, sympodial branches plant^-1, boll weight, leaf area index, lint yield, and harvest during the growing season 2015. Therefore, by adopting the band application coupled with 120 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 rather than the conventional method of broadcast, productivity of cotton crops could be increased.