Youssef G. Yanni, Amany A. Elashmouny and Abdelgawad Y. Elsadany( 2020). Differential Response of Cotton Growth, Yield and Fiber Quality to Foliar Application of Spirulina platensis and Urea FertilizerAsian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research 12(1): 29-40, 2020; Article no.AJAAR.53878 ISSN: 2456-8864
Abstract: Aims:
Evaluation if foliar spray of destructed cells of Spirulina platensis along with urea fertilizer can contribute to cotton (Gossypium barbadense L. cultivar Giza-94) plant growth, contents of photosynthetic pigments, seed cotton yield, seed index, earliness, lint percent, fineness (Micronair) and strength (Pressely). Study Design: Application of ascending rates of N fertilizer in 3 mainplot treatments and foliar spray with destructed cells of Spirulina platensis in 4 subplot treatments (Contained a non-treated control), with 3 replications. Place and Duration of Study: The Departments of Microbiology and Cotton Research, Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafr Elsheikh, Egypt (31º18′30″N & 30º48′14″E) during the two cotton cultivation seasons of years 2016 and 2017.
Methodology:
Urea (46% N) at 96, 144 or 192 kg N/ha was applied in two equal doses as main-plot treatments. Spirulina platensis was grown and total proteins, contents of 16 amino acids and Fe, K, Mn and P of dried destructed cells were determined and used for foliar application in the rates of 6, 12 or 18 g cells/ha, used as sub-plot treatments. Area of each replicated sub-plot was 12.5 m2. Calcium super phosphate (15% P2O5), potassium sulphate (48% K2O) and Insecticides (when necessary) were supplemented as common treatments. Results: Application of destructed Spirulina increased the plant leaf area, chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids and gibberellin contents, plant height, fruiting branches, open bolls/plant, seed cotton yield and seed index after ginning, fiber length, fineness (Micronair) and strength (Pressely) comparing to the corresponding non-sprayed plants. Urea at 192 kg N/ha along with destructed Spirulina exhibited superiority as enhancers of plant growth, yield and fiber qualities. Conclusion: The dual N/Spirulina combination expressed enhanced cotton growth, yield and qualities of fibers. The tested fertilization strategy is promising for enhanced cotton production economy.
Keywords: (Cotton; fiber length; fineness and strength; urea; photosynthetic pigments; Spirulina.)
