Abstract

A field trial was conducted on a sandy clay loam soil during winter seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to evaluate prominent ten cotton varietiesunder organic management system. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. Experimental results indicated that SVPR 4 variety produced the tallest plants. Higher number of sympodial branches plant-1 was recorded with KC 3 variety which was on par with SVPR 4 and MCU 12. Number of bolls plant-1 and boll setting percentage were higher in KC 3 and MCU 12 varieties over others. Variety MCU 12 recorded significantly higher seed cotton yield (1751 kg ha-1) compared to other varieties. Fibre quality parameters were the maximum with MCU 12 variety. Nutrients (N, P and K) uptake and available nutrients after harvest were higher with MCU 9 and MCU 12 varieties over others.

Keywords: Organic farming, Cotton varieties, Seed cotton yield, Fibre quality characters, Nutrient status