Influence of sowing time, intercropping and mulching on the growth and yield of rainfed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Kovilpatti, during the winter (rabi) season of 1993-94 and 1994-95, to study the influence of sowing time, intercropping and mulching on growth and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in rainfed Vertisols, It was observed that the premonsoon dry seeding of cotton on 30 September increased the moan seed-cotton yield by 10.8% over monsoon and 42.6% over late monsoon sowing respectively. Intercropping of cotton with blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) or clusterbean [Cymopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taubert] reduced the growth, yield components and yield of cotton. However, cotton + clusterbean recorded significantly higher seed-cotton equivalent of 963 and 820 kg/ha during 1993-94 and 1994-95 respectively. Application of subabul lopping or pearl millet straw as mulch materials improved the growth and yield of cotton over unmulched control.