Vol. 8, Issue 11, Part K (2024)

The present investigation was conducted during Kharif 2023-24 to study the “Effect of foliar spray and soil application of humic acid on yield and uptake of nutrient by cotton grown in vertisol” was conducted at Research farm, Long Term Fertilizers Experimental Field, department of Soil Science and laboratory analysis was conducted at Department of Soil Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments consist of viz; 100% RDF through drip (T₁), 75% RDF through drip + EnHA @ 0.2% through drip (T₂), 75% RDF through drip + HA @ 0.2% through drip (T₃), 100% RDF through soil (T₄), 100% RDF through soil + foliar spray of EnHA @ 0.5% (T₅), 100% RDF through soil + foliar spray of HA @ 0.5% (T₆), Absolute control (T₇). The results indicated that of 75% RDF through drip + EnHA @ 0.2% through drip (T₂), were recorded significantly highest seed cotton and cotton stalk yield which was found at par with 75% RDF through drip + HA @ 0.2% through drip (T₃). However, the significant improvement in chemical properties of soil were recorded with 75% RDF through drip + EnHA @ 0.2% through drip (T₂) followed by 75% RDF through drip + HA @ 0.2% through drip (T₃). Hence, it is concluded that, application of humic acid foliar sprays at 20, 40, 60 and 80 days after sowing along with recommended dose of fertilizers (120:60:60 NPK kg ha^-1) through chemical fertilizers is useful for improved nutrient uptake, soil properties as well as increased yield of cotton in Vertisol.