Heard about high density planting system HDPS for cotton to raise yield. What spacing and plant population is recommended?
What is the best spacing for high density cotton planting (kapas)?
KKishan Yadav1yr ago · 453 views
3 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓1yr ago
High density planting system (HDPS) uses closer rows and more plants to get higher yield from compact, early maturing types, mainly in rainfed and shallow soils. Common HDPS spacing is about 60x10 cm or 60x15 cm, giving roughly 60,000 to 1,10,000 plants per acre depending on spacing, against only 18,000 to 22,000 in normal hybrid spacing of 90x60 cm. HDPS needs short duration, compact varieties, not tall spreading hybrids, plus good early weed control and timely topping. It suits light, rainfed soils where normal hybrids underperform. Do not use HDPS spacing with bushy long duration hybrids or plants will compete and lodge. Check your state agriculture university for the specific variety and spacing recommended for HDPS in your zone.
TTukaram Deshpande1yr ago
I tried HDPS on a shallow murrum patch in Vidarbha that always gave poor hybrid cotton. With a compact short duration variety at close spacing it did clearly better because the field matures fast before moisture runs out. On my deep black field nearby the normal wide spacing still wins, so match the method to the soil.
LLakhan Sahu1yr ago
Weed control is the make or break in HDPS. With so many plants close together you cannot run a bullock or tractor hoe easily once the crop grows, so plan a pre emergence herbicide as per label plus early manual weeding. I underestimated this the first year and the weeds choked the close rows.