EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND MOISTURE-CONSERVATION PRACTICE ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF COTTON (GOSSYPIUM SPECIES) AS SUMMER AND RAINY-SEASON CROPS IN CENTRAL UTTAR-PRADESH

A field experiment conducted during 1987 and 1988 showed possibility f or cultivation of cotton (Gossypium sp.) as summer crop and as a ratoo n crop (second flush) during the rainy season, with an average product ivity of 24.4 q/ha (12.8 q/ha from summer crop and 11.6 q/ha from rato on crop). The summer crop required 10 irrigations administered at 80 m m cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) for optimum production. However, us e of mulch along with application of jalshakti @ 5 kg/ha in furrows co nsiderably reduced the irrigation requirement of summer crop. From an overall consideration of yield, return, water economy, water-use effic iency, easy availability of mulching material, 6 irrigations at 120 mm CPE may be provided to summer crop of 'Vikas' cotton superimposed wit h maize-stover mulch in between the crop rows.