Vol. 9, Special Issue 9, Part T (2025)

A field trial was conducted during the Kharif season of 2020-21 at the Research Farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. The study aimed to investigate the impact of coated fertilizers on soil properties, as well as the yield and quality of Bt cotton. A set of nine treatments viz.T₁-Absolute control, T₂-Recommended dose of fertilizer (Through straight fertilizer) T₃-RDF through coated fertilizer grade (N:P₂O5:K₂O:S:Mg:Zn:B 11:23:10:4:1.9:0.4:0.2), T₄-RDF through non coated fertilizer grade (N: P₂O5:K₂O:S:Mg:Zn:B 11:23:10:4:1.9:0.4:0.2), T₅-25% reduction to RDF with coated fertilizer grade, T₆-25% reduction to RDF with non-coated fertilizer, T₇-50% reduction to RDF with coated fertilizer, T₈-50% reduction to RDF with non-coated fertilizer, T₉-RDF through straight/complete fertilizers + individual secondary and Micronutrients as per treatment second for basal dose only were organized in a randomized block design with three replications. The experimental result revealed that the yield parameter like seed cotton yield, dry matter yield, mean boll weight, test weight showed significantly highest in treatment (T₃) receiving RDF through coated fertilizer grade (N:P₂O₅:K₂O:S:Mg:Zn:B 11:23:10:4:1.9:0.4:0.2) respectively. Additionally, nutrient use efficiency, gross monetary returns (GMR), net monetary returns (NMR), and benefit-cost ratio (B:C) were highest in T₃. Coated fertilizers exhibited superior performance in terms of nutrient use efficiency and economic viability compared to other treatments and making it a sustainable and cost-effective approach for Bt cotton cultivation. Thus, the application of RDF through coated fertilizers is recommended for maximizing yield, nutrient efficiency, and economic returns in Bt cotton cultivation.