M.A. Thesis:

Effect of calcium nitrate is sprayed on cotton yield in saline conditions

In order to evaluate the effect of foliar application of calcium nitrate on yield and yield components of cotton in saline conditions, An experiment was carried out at Tasband, Rodab section , Sabzevar city, in 2015. This experiment was carried out as Factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Factors were: Timing of foliar application of calcium nitrate in three levels (vegetative stage (12-10 leaves), spraying in early flowering (50% field flowering) and two times foliar application of calcium nitrate in vegetative stage and early flowering and ammonium nitrate concentrations in four levels (0 , 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 %). Varamin cultivar was used in this study. The result showed that time of foliar application had significant effect on leaf chlorophyll index, Number of lateral branch, boll number, Number of unopened boll, seed cotton yield , biological yield, boll weight and harvest index, whereas plant height, 100 seed weights and lint percentage was not affected by time application. Two times foliar application of calcium nitrate in vegetative stage and early flowering had the heights leaf chlorophyll index, Number of lateral branch, boll number, seed cotton yield , biological yield and harvest index whereas Foliar application of calcium nitrate at the beginning of flowering produced the maximum average boll weight and unopened bolls . Calcium nitrate concentration significantly affected all traits except 100 seed weights, boll weight and lint percentage. 0.5% calcium nitrate concentration had the highest leaf chlorophyll index, plant height and harvest index. The maximum number of lateral branch, boll number, unopened bolls, seed cotton yield and biological yield was achieved in 0.3% calcium nitrate application. calcium nitrate foliar application with 0.1% doses had the highest boll weight. Overall, In order to produce maximum cotton yield under saline conditions two times foliar application of calcium nitrate in vegetative stage and early flowering is recommended.

Keywords: Calcium Nitrate , Chlorophyll. Cotton, Foliar application, Salinity