Response to square removing on early perennial cotton in soil with and without fertilization

Abstract

Experiments were carried out at Patos county, PB, Brazil, from 1987 to 1989 to study the effects of square removing on yield and fiber quality of early perennial cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, L. v. marie galante Hutch. The elimination of square simulated damage of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Bohem. There was a daily reduction of 18.5 kg/ha and 18.6 kg/ha of cotton seed during first and second year, respectively, independently of soil fertilization or no fertilization using the 30-60-00 formula. It was concluded that square removing was critical up to 45 days after first squares appeared. Among several fiber characters, staple length was the one that presented 8.2% of reduction.