The effect of different applications of calcium on yield and fiber quality characteristics in cotton

This research was carried out to determine the effects of different calcium (Ca) applications on yield, yield components and fiber quality characteristics in cotton. The research was conducted in Siirt University Kezer Campus in 2021 according to the randomized complete blocks design with 4 replications. In the experiment 7 different calcium treatment (Control, Squaring Period 100 cc/da, Squaring Period 200 cc/da, Squaring Period 400 cc/da, Flowering Period 100 cc/da, Flowering Period 200 cc/da, Flowering Period 400 cc/da) were applied. In the experiment, MAY 455 cotton variety was used as plant material and Calcium Nitrate solution was used as calcium source. In the study, it was determined that calcium applications had a significant effect on the boll weight and seed cotton boll weight, and it was determined that there were significant statistical differences between the applications. Among the other characteristics examined it was determined that seed cotton yield, fiber yield, plant height, number of monopodial branches, number of sympodial branches, number of first fruiting branches, number of nodes, number of bolls, ginning percentage, first picking percentage, number of seeds per boll, chlorophyll content in leaves (SPAD), normalized vegetation difference index (NDVI value), fiber fineness, fiber length, fiber strength, fiber elongation, short fiber index, fiber yellowness value (+b), fiber reflectanse (Rd) value, spinning consistency index (SCI) and fiber uniformity ratio were not affected by calcium applications. In the study, the highest boll weight and seed cotton boll weight values were obtained with Ca applied at a dose of 400 cc/da during the flowering period. It has been concluded that the boll weight and seed cotton boll weight can be increased with the application of 400 cc/da Ca application during the flowering period in cotton. According to the data obtained in the study, it is understood that more research is needed to determine the effect of calcium. It has been concluded that it would be appropriate to apply calcium applications with different varieties, at different stages of plant development, and to support them with studies that will last for many years.