Study the effect of hill and drill planting method in different plant density on cotton (G. hirsutum) yield

One of the reasons for planting cotton crop in a high density in developing countries is reducing the cost of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production. There are some mehods to change the dencity in the field, including hill planting, reducing the space between rows or plants on the row. To investigate the effects of plant density on yield of cotton and to compare hill and row planting methods, a split plot experiment in randomized complete block design was conducted in three locations, (gorgan, kashmar and varamin) and in two years (2005, 2006). The factors were density (31250, 62500, 93750,125000, 156250 plant/ha) and plating methods (hill and row planting) as main and subplots respectively. Plant density in subplots were in consistance with each main plot. The varieties used in current study were sahel in Gorgan and varamin in kashmar and varamin regions. Results showed that yield were not effected by density in Gorgan and Kashmar regions. In Varamin, the effect of density was significant and 93750 plant/ha showed the best yield (P>0.05). There were no significant differences between two planting methods for yield in all locations.