Abstract
Cotton crop is considered to be the backbone of Pakistan economy and efforts are required to rise it’s per hectare yield. This field study investigated the effects of sowing date and cotton genotypes on growth, yield and fiber quality of cotton under the agro-ecological conditions at Sakrand, Sindh, during Kharif season, 2014. A randomized complete block design in split plot arrangement was used with four sowing dates [SDl = 15th April, SD2 = 1st May, SD3 = 15th May, SD4 = 1st June] were randomized in the main plots and two genotypes [Vl = Bt. CRIS-508, V2 = CRIS-342] in subplots during 2014. Results showed that sowing dates and genotypes had significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) on growth, yield and fiber quality traits. Significantly maximum (2939 kg. ha-1 and 2801 kg. ha-1 ) seed cotton yield was observed for genotypes Bt. CRIS-508 and CRIS-342 when sown on 15th April while minimum (1853 kg. ha-1 and 1648 kg. ha-1 ) seed cotton yield for genotypes Bt. CRIS-508 and CRIS-342 when sown on 1st June. It was concluded that April 15 sowing was the most appropriate sowing date for these genotypes under agro-climatic condition of Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan.
