RESPONSE OF COTTON TO PLANT POPULATION AND WEED CONTROL

Abstract

A field trial was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Deparrtment of Crop Science- College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad , Abu-Ghraib during two summer seasons(2008 and 2009). The objectives were to investigate the response of cotton to planting 50000 ,62500 , 83333 and 125000 plant . ha-1 and weed treatments ( Treflan , Super Gallant , Weed-free and Weedy-check ) on yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Lashata ) . The design used was RCBD with split-plot arrangement with three replications . Treflan gave superior number of open cotton bolls . plant-1 and lint index and weight of boll 7.65 , 4.65, 3.44 in first season and 8.32 , 4.80 , 3.43 respectivly in second season . These result , reflected in good performance of cotton , therefore , it gave superior of seed cotton yield and lint yield were 2590.47 , 2728.83 , 854.85 and 900.53 kg.ha-1 respectivly in both seasons . The plant density 125000 plant . ha-1 gave lowest open cotton bolls and seed index and weight of boll 5.95, 6.78 , 9.66 , 9.71 , 3.02 , 3.11 respectivly in both seasons , but gave superior value of lint index 4.79 , 4.91gm respectivly and gave high seed cotton yield 3298.07 , 3627.59 and lint yield 1066.25 ,1197.12 kg.ha-1 respectivly. The treatment of weed- free with high density 125000 plant.ha-1 gave high value of seed cotton yield and lint yield at first season was 3770.55 and 1244.28 and at second season 4720.86 and 1557.88 kg.ha-1 respectively . From these result we can conclusion that the cotton is positive response to study factors , so we can use 125000 plant .ha-1 to control weeds instead of herbicid in order to get high yield and to keep clean environment .