Abstract
An experiment to study the effect of different irrigation levels on the yield and radiation use efficiency of cotton
(Gossypium hirsutum) under two sowing methods was conducted at the agronomic reaearch area, University of
Agriculture Faisalabad. The treatment were consist of (A) two sowing methods viz (i) flat sowing (ii) ridge sowing
and (B) six irrigation viz: irrigation during vegetative growth (1irrigation: missing last 5 irrigations), irrigation during
vegetative growth (missing last two irrigation), irrigation from flowering till maturity (5 irrigation; missing first
irrigation, irrigation from boll formation till maturity (3 irrigations; missing first 3 irrigations), irrigation at all stages
(Normal 6 irrigation). The experiment was laid out according to RCBD in split plot arrangement with three
replications and net plot size was 2.25x6 m. 16 (irrigation at all stages) produced maximum (2406 kqha') seed
cotton yield, which was significantly higher than all treatments. In treatment 14 (irrigation from boll formation till
maturity) seed cotton yield (2217kgha'1) was significantly higher than 13 (irrigation up to boll formation 2098 kqha'. 15
irrigation from boll formation till maturity (1362kg ha'). The significantly minimum yield (887kgha'1) was recorded
In 11 (irrigation during vegetative growth).
Key words: Irrigation, Radiation use efficiency, Yield, cotton and Pakistan