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VOL. 8, ISSUE 4 (2026)
Effect of organic manures, fertilizers and biochar on growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of Bt Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Authors
Bhanuprakash Reddy, K A Hiremath, Shyamrao Kulkarni, Mohan Chavan, P H Kuchanur
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2025-26 at
Bheemarayanagudi, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka,
India, to evaluate the effect of biochar applied along with organic manures and
fertilizer levels on the growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of Bt
cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The experiment was laid out in a
Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with thirteen treatments replicated
thrice. The treatments consist of vermicompost @ 2.5t ha-1, FYM @ 10
t ha-1 and press mud @ 5.0 t ha-1 which were used
individually in combination with 100% RDCF, 75% RDCF and 50% RDCF. Biochar @
0.5 t ha-1 was used for all the treatments with constant rate of
application. 100% RDCF alone + biochar @ 0.5 t ha-1 was also
included to know the effect of biochar along with chemical fertilizers. The
results revealed that application of 100 per cent RDCF + vermicompost @ 2.5 t
ha-1 + biochar @ 0.5 t ha-1 recorded significantly higher
plant height (134.1 cm), leaf area (136.63 dm2 plant-1) and total
dry matter production (352.05 g) among all the treatments except 100 per cent
RDCF + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 + biochar @ 0.5 t ha-1, 100 per
cent RDCF + press mud @ 5 t ha-1 + biochar 0.5 t ha-1,
100 per cent RDCF + vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 and 100 per cent RDCF
+ FYM @ 10 t ha-1. Further, this treatment known to produce
significantly higher number of bolls per plant (28.1), boll weight (4.63 g boll-1),
seed cotton yield (127.8 g plant-1) seed cotton yield (2367 kg ha-1),
stalk yield (4593 kg ha-1) and net returns (Rs 96,313 ha-1).
The highest net returns (Rs 1,01,045 ha-1) were obtained with 100
per cent RDCF + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 + biochar @ 0.5 t ha-1,
whereas the highest benefit cost ratio (2.35) was recorded with 100 per cent
RDCF + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 owing to its lower cost of cultivation. Reducing
RDCF to 75 or 50 per cent lowered yield and returns even when biochar was
added. Biochar @ 0.5 t ha-1 is therefore best used as a supplement
to full RDCF and organic manures rather than as a substitute for fertilizer.
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Pages:173-180
How to cite this article:
Bhanuprakash Reddy, K A Hiremath, Shyamrao Kulkarni, Mohan Chavan, P H Kuchanur "Effect of organic manures, fertilizers and biochar on growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of <i>Bt</i> Cotton (<i>Gossypium hirsutum </i>L.)". International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 4, 2026, Pages 173-180
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