Effects of Potassium Rates and Sources on Fiber Quality Parameters in Four Cultivars of Cotton Grown in Aridisols

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted using four cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars: CIM-448, CIM-1100, NIAB-Karishma, and S-12 supplied with four rates of potassium fertilizer (0, 62.5, 125.0, 250.0 kg K ha⁻¹) and two sources of potassium fertilizer (K₂SO₄, KCl) to determine the effect of potassium fertilizer on fiber quality. Result showed that fiber quality parameters differed significantly in response to various potassium fertilizer levels and sources in different cultivars. Fiber length, fiber fineness, fiber strength, and fiber maturity ratio increased due to addition of potassium fertilizer. Sulphate of potash had an edge over muriate of potash in improving fiber quality parameters. Each of fiber quality parameters was positively correlated to potassium concentration in fiber tissues at maturity, potassium concentration in leaf tissues at bloom stage and ammonium acetate extracted- potassium in the soil. These investigations indicate that adequate potassium supply to developing fruit was an important determinant of lint parameters to produce quality cotton.

Keywords:

• Potassium fertilizer
• K-source
• Upland cotton
• Fiber quality
• K-concentration in fiber
• K concentration in leaf tissues
• Exchangeable-K in soil
• Aridisols