DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cotton is life line of the economy of Pakistan. Environment had significantly effected its production and fibre. Field research was conducted in 2016 and 2017 at Cotton Research Station, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan to assess the impacts of six sowing dates on yield and fibre characteristics of two cotton varieties. The experiments were laid out in RCBD with split-plot replicated thrice. Sowing dates i.e. March 15, April 01, April 15, May 01, May 15, and June 01 were kept in main and cotton varieties (CIM-602, CIM-616) in sub-plots. Results showed that April 15 sowing produced highest bolls per plant, boll weight-g, seed cotton yield, staple length, strength and micronaire amongst the other sowing dates. Results further showed that CIM-602 ranked first in number of bolls/plant, weight per boll, seed cotton yield, staple length, strength and micrronaire in April 15 sowing. Former and later on cotton sowing than April 15 resulted in decreased cotton yield and fibre due to shorter growth phase and unsuitable environment, respectively. Thus it is concluded that the genotype, CIM-602 sown on April 15 suits well to the study area and had the potential to optimize cotton yield and quality in irrigated condition of Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan.