Abstract

*Rikhtegar S. Hossein, Mohammad Eskandari and Hossein Rezaei

This study was carried out to determine nitrogen (N) and boron (B) effects on yield and quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). N was applied to the soil at rates of 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1 and B was applied as foliar at rates 0, 500 and 1000 g ha-1 . Statistical results of study showed that N application significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased boll number, boll weight, seed cotton weight of boll, seed cotton yield and lint yield. Moreover, leaf blade N concentration was affected by N application rate and increased significantly. Results of study also showed that the highest seed cotton yield was obtained in case of 200 kg ha-1 N application rate, and this application rate resulted in 19.6% increased seed cotton yield. Statistical results also indicated that foliar application of B significantly increased boll number, boll weight, seed cotton yield and lint yield. In addition, leaf blade B concentration was affected by B application rate and increased significantly. Results also demonstrated that the highest seed cotton yield was recorded in case of 1000 g ha-1 foliar application of B, and this foliar application rate resulted in 25% increased seed cotton yield. Statistical results showed that effect of different application rates of N was not significant for all fiber properties (fiber length, fiber strength and fiber fineness). Conversely, results of study indicated that different application rates of B significantly affected some fiber properties. On the whole, application of 200 kg ha-1 N and 1000 g ha-1 B (two time foliar B application) resulted in the highest boll number, boll weight, seed cotton yield and lint yield, and enhanced fiber properties. The interaction of N × B was not significant for all studied traits.