Effect of reduced nitrogen fertilizer applications with the organic source soil conditioners on cotton (gGssypium hirsutum L.) yield and fiber technological properties in Amik plain conditions

This study aimed to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and to reach sufficient yields and fiber quality with natural soil conditioners in 2019 growing season in Amik Plain, Hatay, Turkey. The experiment was carried out using randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement in 3 replications. The treatments consisted of two soil conditioners (leonardite and zeolite, 1000 and 2000 kg ha-1) allocated in the main plots, and 5 nitrogen doses (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) applied in the subplots. Soil conditioners and applied nitrogen doses had no significant effect on plant height, number of monopodia, number of sympodia, number of boll, seed cotton weight per boll, fiber fineness, fiber strength and 100 seed weight. However, ginning percentage was the only parameters that significantly affected from nitrogen doses. The soil conditioner and nitrogen interaction was significant for yield and fiber length. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of soil conditioner and nitrogen application on yield and fiber properties under different soil and climate conditions.