Soil applied boron (B) improves growth, yield and fiber quality traits of cotton grown on calcareous saline soil

PLoS One. 2020 Aug 6;15(8):e0231805. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231805. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Boron (B) is required during all growth stages of cotton crop, especially during boll formation. However, Typic Haplocambid soils of cotton growing belt in Pakistan are B-deficient, which results in low yield and economic returns. Foliar application of B improves cotton productivity; however, information is limited on the role of soil applied B in improving cotton growth and yield. The current study investigated the role of soil applied B in improving growth, yield and fiber quality of cotton crop. Five different B doses (i.e., 0.00, 2.60, 5.52, 7.78 and 10.04 mg kg-1 of soil) and two cotton cultivars (i.e., CIM-600 and CIM-616) were included in the study. Soil applied B (2.60 mg kg-1) significantly improved growth, yield, physiological parameters and fiber quality, while 10.04 mg kg-1 application improved B distribution in roots, seeds, leaves and stalks. Significant improvement was noted in plant height (12%), leaf area (3%), number of bolls (48%), boll size (59%), boll weight (52%), seed cotton yield (52%), photosynthesis (50%), transpiration rate (10%), stomatal conductance (37%) and water use efficiency (44%) of CIM-600 with 2.60 mg kg-1 compared to control treatment of CIM-616. Similarly, B accumulation in roots, seeds, leaves and stalk of CIM-600 was improved by 76, 41, 86 and 70%, respectively compared to control treatment. The application of 2.60 mg kg-1 significantly improved ginning out turn (6%), staple length (3.5%), fiber fineness (17%) and fiber strength (5%) than no B application. The results indicated that cultivar CIM-600 had higher ginning out turn (1.5%), staple length (5.4%), fiber fineness (15.5%) and fiber strength (1.8%) than CIM-616. In crux, 2.60 mg kg-1 soil B application improved growth, yield, physiological and fiber quality traits of cotton cultivar CIM-600. Therefore, cultivar CIM-600 and 2.60 mg kg-1 soil B application is recommended for higher yield and productivity.

Publication types

  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Biomass
  • Boron / metabolism*
  • Cotton Fiber / analysis
  • Fertilizers
  • Gossypium / growth & development*
  • Gossypium / metabolism*
  • Pakistan
  • Photosynthesis
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Soil / chemistry
  • Water

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Soil
  • Water
  • Boron

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.