ABSTRACT
Nitrogen rates and plant density are two important practices for optimum production of cotton. Field experiment was conducted at two locations within the Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Jalingo (longitude 11° 09’ and 11° 30’ East and latitude 8° 17’ and 9° 01’ North) in Nigeria to investigate the influence of nitrogen rates and plant density on yield components of cotton cultivars. A 4 × 3 × 2 factorial of four nitrogen (N) rates (0, 120, 150, 200 kg/ha), three cotton varieties (Jalingo Local, Samcot-13, Sketch-8) and two plant densities (44,444 and 60,000 plants/ha) was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on cotton seed yield, lint yield and number of seeds/boll. Nitrogen rate, plant density and variety had a positive effect on cotton seed yield, lint yield and number of seeds/boll. Nitrogen rates at all levels significantly (p< 0.05) increased the seed and lint yield of cotton when compared with control. However, the differences in yield between 150 kg N/ha and 200 kg N/ha rate was not significant making nitrogen rate of 150 kg N/ha more economical and optimum for cotton seed yield. Low plant population gave rise to higher seed yield. Interactively, the 150 kg N/ha × Jalingo Local × low plant density (44,444 plants/ha) gave the highest cotton seed and lint yield.
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