Optimizing the Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)protein concentration in cotton:Coordinated application of exogenous amino acids and EDTA to reduce spatiotemporal variability in boll and leaf toxins

During the boll formation stage,cotton bolls exhibit the lowest expression of Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)insecticidal proteins.Resistance to insects varies notably among different organs,which poses challenges for controlling cotton bollworms.Consequently,an experimental strategy was designed in the 2020-2021 cotton growing season to coordinate the enhancement of protein synthesis and the attenuation of degradation.Two Bt cultivars of Gossypium hirsutum,namely the hybrid Sikang 3 and the conventional Sikang 1,were used as test materials.Three treatments were applied at the peak flowering period:CK(the control),T1(amino acids),and T2(amino acids and EDTA).The results show that,in comparison to the CK group,the Bt protein contents were significantly increased in both cotton bolls and their subtending leaves under the T1 and T2 treatments.The maximum levels of increase observed were 67.5%in cotton bolls and 21.7%in leaves.Moreover,the disparity in Bt protein content between cotton bolls and their subtending leaves notably decreased by 31.2%.Correlation analysis suggested that the primary physiological mechanisms for augmenting Bt protein content involve increased protein synthesis and reduced protein catabolism,which are independent of Bt gene expression levels.Stepwise regression and path analysis revealed that elevating the soluble protein content and transaminase activity,while reducing the catabolic enzyme activities,are instrumental in enhancing the Bt protein content.Consequently,the coordinated application of amino acids and EDTA emerges as a strategy that can improve the overall resistance of Bt cotton and mitigate the spatiotemporal variations in Bt toxin concentrations in both cotton bolls and leaves.

基于BP神经网络与BOLL通道的结构监测数据识别修复

通过BOLL通道法巧妙地引入第三方数据,与原始数据互相验证分析,以此构建上下轨线,求取偏离值得到改进型BOLL通道法进行相关的非均匀温度场异常温度识别过滤,再结合IDW算法验证对非均匀温度场缺失温度数据的补全效果,并且基于BP神经网络模型提出两种应力修复方法,对应力监测数据进行修复,然后对修复效果进行研究,验证方法的实用价值.研究结果表明:改进型BOLL通道法在处理非均匀温度场方面具有独特的区域自适应性,在去除异常温度数据的同时较好保留了非均匀温度场研究的突变温度细节;IDW算法综合考虑了测点温度的非均匀性,对于温度场缺失温度数据的补全具有较好效果;同时基于BP神经网络构建温度相关性、多测点相关性的应力修复方法,对非均匀温度场监测中的应力数据进行修复,其结果具有相当的可靠度.

基于BOLL通道法的结构监测数据识别处理方法

在大跨度空间结构非均匀温度场的监测数据处理中常常需要处理温度数据,但是传统的温度识别处理方法在处理非均匀温度场数据时过于粗糙,无法较好地保留温度场的数据细节。因此通过BOLL通道(Bollinger bands)法巧妙引入第三方数据与原始数据构建上下轨线,求取偏离值得到改进型BOLL通道法完成对非均匀温度场异常温度识别处理。同时与对比了移动平均线法和三西格玛准则在数据识别处理的优劣。研究结果表明:改进型BOLL通道法在识别处理非均匀温度场数据方面的最大优势在于具有独特的区域自适应性,在识别异常温度值的同时较好地保留非均匀温度场的突变温度细节,并且可以同时处理漂移温度数据和跳点温度数据。实际处理异常温度的精度优于移动平均线法和三西格玛准则,应用于非均匀温度场数据处理方面具有较大优势。

Enhancing boll protein synthesis and carbohydrate conversion by the application of exogenous amino acids at the peak flowering stage increased the boll Bt toxin concentration and lint yield in cotton

In Bacillus thuringenesis(Bt) transgenic cotton, the cotton boll has the lowest insecticidal protein content when compared to the other organs. The present study investigated the effects of amino acid spray application at the peak flowering stage on the cotton boll Bt toxin concentration and yield formation. Boll protein synthesis and carbohydrate conversion were also studied to reveal the fundamental mechanism. Three treatments(i.e., CK, the untreated control;LA1, five amino acids;LA2, 21 amino acids) were applied to two Bt cultivars of G. hirsutum(i.e., the hybrid Sikang 3 and the conventional Sikang 1) in the cotton-growing seasons during 2017 and 2018. Amino acid spray application at the peak flowering stage resulted in an increase of 5.2–16.4% in the boll Bt protein concentration and an increase of 5.5–11.3%in the seed cotton yield, but there was no difference between the two amino acid treatments. In addition, amino acid applications led to increases in the amino acid content, soluble protein content, glutamate pyruvate transaminase(GPT)activity, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase(GOT) activity, glucose content, fructose content and soluble acid invertase(SAI) activity. This study also found that Bt protein content, enhanced boll number and the weight of opened bolls were closely related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism. The Bt protein content had significant linear positive correlations with amino acid and soluble protein contents. Enhanced boll number had significant linear positive correlations with the GPT and GOT activities from 15–25 days after flowering(DAF). The weight of opened bolls from 55–65 DAF had a significant linear positive correlation with the SAI activity. These results indicate that the enhancement of boll protein synthesis and carbohydrate conversion by amino acid application resulted in a simultaneous increase in the boll Bt protein concentration and cotton lint yield.

基于BOLL技术指标的量化交易策略的优化方法研究

量化交易将计算机技术与金融业务逻辑深度融合,依托大量的金融业务数据和不断优化的数学模型,给决策者更高的参考价值。通过对BOLL指标的理论和实践进行探究,提出了一种优化BOLL指标的方法—结合其他技术指标,优化量化交易策略。为验证这一方法的有效性,采用实证研究的方法,对两种不同的交易策略进行了比较。研究结果表明,结合其他技术指标优化BOLL指标能够显著提高股票量化交易的收益率和稳定性。研究为投资者提供了一种新的思路和方法,帮助他们更好地进行量化交易。

Effects of Nitrogen Application Amount on Growth Characteristics,Boll Development and Lint Yield of High Quality Cotton

[Objective] This study aimed to explore an optimum application amount of nitrogen for cotton cultivation. [Method] In this study, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen application amount on the growth characteristics, boll development and lint yield of high quality cotton line FZ-1. [Result] Compared with the nitrogen level of 225 kg/hm2, the lint yield had increased by 28.46% and 18.73%, respectively, with the nitrogen application amount of 300 and 375 kg/hm2. When the nitrogen application amount had increased from 225 to 300 kg/hm2, boll number per plant, boll weight and lint yield had significantly increased. At the nitrogen level of 375 kg/hm2, however, the effects of increasing lint yield were significantly less than that at the nitrogen level of 300 kg/hm2. Compared with the nitrogen levels of 225 and 375, 300 kg/hm2 of nitrogen was the optimum application amount to improve the plant height, daily increment of plant height, number of fruit branches, number ratio of nodes to fruit branches, boll volume and seed cotton weight per boll. [Conclusion] The rational management of nitrogen is the most effective way to promote the growth and development of cotton plants, ensure high yielding ability and minimize the environmental pollution caused by the overuse of nitrogen. This study had provided a sound nitrogen application strategy for the cultivation of this high-quality cotton line in the field plantation.

Relationships between temperature-light meteorological factors and seedcotton biomass per boll at different boll positions

Cotton growth and development are determined and influenced by cultivars, meteorological conditions, and management practices. The objective of this study was to quantify the optimum of temperature-light meteorological factors for seedcotton biomass per boll with respect to boll positions. Field experiments were conducted using two cultivars of Kemian 1 and Sumian 15 with three planting dates of 25 April （mean daily temperature （MDT） was 28.0 and 25.4°C in 2010 and 2011, respectively）, 25 May （MDT was 22.5 and 21.2°C in 2010 and 2011, respectively）, and 10 Jun （MDT was 18.7 and 17.9°C in 2010 and 2011, respectively）, and under three shading levels （crop relative light rates （CRLR） were 100, 80, and 60％） during 2010 and 2011 cotton boll development period （from anthesis to boll open stages）. The main meteorological factors （temperature and light） affected seedcotton biomass per boll differently among different boll positions and cultivars. Mean daily radiation （MDR） affected seedcotton biomass per boll at all boll positions, except fruiting branch 2 （FB2） fruting node 1 （FN1）. However, its influence was less than temperature factors, especially growing degree-days （GDD）. Optimum mean daily maximum temperature （MDTmax） for seedcotton biomass per boll at FB11FN3 was 29.9-32.4°C, and the optimum MDR at aforementioned position was 15.8-17.5 MJ m-2. Definitely, these results can contribute to future cultural practices such as rational cultivars choice and distribution, simplifying field managements and mechanization to acquire more efficient and economical cotton management.

Effects of plant density and mepiquat chloride application on cotton boll setting in wheat–cotton double cropping system

Sowing cotton directly after harvesting wheat in the Yangtze River Valley of China requires early mature of cotton without yield reduction.Boll-setting period synchronisation and more yield bolls distributed at the upper and middle canopy layers are also required for harvesting.The objective of this study is to quantify the individual and interaction effects of plant density and plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride(MC)on temporal and spatial distributions of yield bolls,as well as yield and yield components.During the 2013–2016 cotton growing seasons,the experiments were conducted on a shortseason cotton cultivar CRRI50 at Yangzhou University,China.Various combinations of plant density(12.0,13.5 and 15.0 plants m^(–2))and MC dose(180,270 and 360 g ha^(–1))were applied on cotton plants.The combination of 13.5 plants m^(–2)and 270 g ha^(–1)MC resulted in the greatest boll number per unit area,the highest daily boll setting number and more than 90%of bolls positioned within 45–80 cm above the ground.In conclusion,appropriate MC dose in combination of high plant density could synchronize boll-setting period and retain more bolls at the upper and middle canopy layers without yield reduction in the system of direct-seeded cotton after wheat harvest,and thus overcome the labor-intensive problem in current transplanting cropping system.

KD和BOLL指标对判断股价走势有效性分析

选取在上交所上市的30支股票样本的历史数据进行统计,对现今中国股票市场流行的两个技术指标(KD线和BOLL带)结合同期股价的实际走势加以分析,得出根据这两种指标判断所作的股价走势预测与实际股价走势相符的比例,探讨技术指标对判断股价走势的作用。

藏绵羊BOLL的分子特征及其在睾丸中的表达调控与功能分析

【目的】BOLL作为一个RNA结合蛋白,可通过与其他分子相互作用而在精子发生过程中发挥不可或缺的作用。研究旨在分析藏绵羊BOLL的序列特征及其在睾丸中的表达与分布模式,进而探究其表达调控与潜在的生物学功能,以期为进一步解读BOLL在绵羊精子发生中的作用机制提供必要的思路和分子见解。【方法】选取3月龄(性成熟前)、1岁龄(性成熟)和3岁龄(成年)3个关键发育阶段各8只健康的雄性藏绵羊。以睾丸组织总RNA为模板,采用RT-PCR技术克隆藏绵羊BOLL的完整编码序列(coding sequence,CDS)区;通过相关生物信息学软件对BOLL的序列与结构特征及其互作蛋白进行分析;采用实时荧光定量PCR(quantitative real time PCR,qRT-PCR),Western blot和免疫荧光染色法对BOLL在3个发育阶段睾丸组织中的表达和免疫定位特征进行检测;基于课题组前期有关藏绵羊睾丸组织全转录组测序数据,借助相关数据库进行绵羊BOLL的竞争性内源RNA(competing endogenous RNA,ceRNA)调控网络和功能注释分析,并采用qRT-PCR和双荧光素酶报告实验对其表达特征及靶向关系进行验证。【结果】藏绵羊BOLL CDS区全长为888 bp,可编码295个氨基酸,含有由81个氨基酸残基组成的RRM结构域(靠近N端)和25个氨基酸残基组成的DAZ重复基序。绵羊BOLL在不同哺乳物种间(特别是山羊、川南山地黄牛和牦牛)具有高度的序列同源性和进化保守性。BOLL蛋白与10个雄性生殖细胞发育相关蛋白质分子间存在潜在的相互作用。随着年龄的增加,在藏绵羊睾丸中BOLL mRNA的表达持续上调,而其蛋白的表达先上调后下调。BOLL蛋白主要存在于性成熟后(1岁龄和3岁龄)睾丸内的精子细胞中,也在精母细胞和整个发育阶段的精原细胞中有少量分布。qRT-PCR结果显示,与3月龄相比,在1岁龄和3岁龄睾丸中微小RNAs(microRNAs,miRNAs)oar-miR-127-5p、oar-miR-382-5p和oar-miR-760-3p的表达量极显著下调(P<0.01),而长链非编码RNAs(long noncoding RNAs,lncRNAs)LOC105602204、LOC105603195和LOC105616228以及环状RNAs(circular RNAs,circRNAs)circ-ECT2L和circ-SPHKAP的表达量极显著上调(P<0.01)。oar-miR-127-5p和oar-miR-760-3p明显降低了BOLL 3′UTR野生型的荧光素酶活性,并且oar-miR-760-3p明显降低了野生型Circ-ECT2L和野生型LOC105616228报告基因的荧光素酶活性。【结论】报道了藏绵羊睾丸中BOLL的分子结构特征、表达规律及潜在的表达调控作用。BOLL主要在藏绵羊减数分裂后的圆形和长形精子细胞中表达,并且其表达受到oar-miR-127-5p和oar-miR-760-3p的直接靶向负调控以及oar-miR-760-3p介导的circRNA Circ-ECT2L和lncRNA LOC105616228的正向调控,进而可能与下游信号分子相互作用,以参与调节绵羊精子细胞向成熟精子分化。

3个地方猪品种BOLL和STRA8基因结构变异位点的群体分布研究

为了探讨BOLL-I6-sv285(15号染色体BOLL基因第6内含子)和STRA8-I4-sv447(18号染色体STRA8基因第4内含子)这两个结构变异在地方猪与欧洲猪品种中的群体分布差异,试验采用PCR方法对从江香猪、江口萝卜猪、荣昌猪和大白猪4个猪品种进行基因分型,并通过在线软件miRBase、UCSC、RegRNA 2.0对结构变异序列所含的功能元件进行分析。结果显示,BOLL-I6-sv285为一段285bp的插入,经群体验证,3个地方猪品种以DI和DD基因型为主,I等位基因的频率高于大白猪,插入基因型(II)对应较高的产仔数,基因型与从江香猪产仔数之间呈显著相关(P<0.05);STRA8-I4-sv447为一段447bp的插入突变,群体中DD基因型占优势,从江香猪、江口萝卜猪和大白猪的I等位基因频率高于荣昌猪,插入基因型(II)对应较低的产仔数,基因型与从江香猪产仔数之间呈显著相关(P<0.05)。本试验鉴定的BOLL-I6-sv285和STRA8-I4-sv447两个结构变异可作为从江香猪产仔数的候选分子标记。

基于BBIBOLL指标进行智能选股的系统开发

BBIBOLL是实战选股中的一个重要的技术指标。市面上的行情软件都有这个指标,而且能根据它判断股票的压力位和支撑位。但要从成千支股票中选出满足BBIBOLL条件的股票,这些行情软件不能满足用户个性化的需求。开发基于BBIBOLL指标进行智能化选股的系统,就是为了弥补这个缺陷。

基于BOLL的平稳技术指标在股票交易中的应用

近几十年来,股票交易在金融市场迅速发展,引起了金融行业的广泛关注。因此,构建合理的股票交易策略模型是十分必要的。BOLL指标是一种常用的股票分析工具。基于BOLL指标构造出适用于股票交易策略建模的平稳性指标,并在股票价格服从几何布朗运动的假设下验证了新指标的平稳性。最后,通过实际应用创建交易策略来验证它的有效性和获利性,提出一种在股票交易中的交易思想。

基于小波分析与Boll改进谱减法的普米语语音增强算法

小波分析和Boll改进谱减法具有很好的减噪效果,但同时也存在"音乐噪声"和语音失真.为了解决这2个问题,基于这2种算法,研究了一种它们的联合算法并对加噪后的普米语进行语音减噪实验.通过对减噪后语音的试听和波形图的观察以及信噪比的对比,对实验的结果进行分析.实验结果表明,针对叠加了随机高斯白噪声的普米语,算法能有效地减少这2种方法单独使用时所产生的"音乐噪声"和语音失真.

Multi-Location Investigation of Optimum Planting Density and Boll Distribution of High-Yielding Cotton (G.hirsutum L.) in Hubei Province,China

Cotton yield per unit ground area has stagnated for a dozen years in Hubei Province, China, although a series of new high- yielding varieties have been commercialized. A multi-location investigation was carried out in 2008 and 2009 in 13 counties to determine if increased planting population density （PPD） would break the stagnant yield. The results showed that significant differences among the fields existed in theoretical yield, PPD, and bolls per square meter （BPM）. The lowest yield of 1 641.1 kg ha-I was resulted from the lowest PPD of 1.7 plants m-2 and the lowest BPM of 71.8 bolls m-2, while the highest yield of 2 779.7 kg ha-~ was resulted from the highest PPD of 2.5 plants m-2, and the highest BPM of 129.4 bolls m-z. Plant mapping revealed that boll retention rate （BRR） was maintained over 30 or 40% for the first 17-18 fruiting branches （FBs） and decreased dramatically thereafter, rotten boll rate （RBR） decreased, but open boll rate （OBR） rose first and dropped later with rising FB from the bottom to the top. But BRR, RBR, and OBR were all dropped with the fruiting positions （FPs） extending outwards. The optimum range of plant density would be 2-3 plants m-2 and the proper individual plant structure would be 16-19 FBs with 5-7 FPs for cotton production in Hubei Province.

Response of successive three generations of cotton,bollworm,Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner),fed on cotton bolls under elevated CO_2

The growth, development and consumption of successive three generations of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera （Htibner）, fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2 （double-ambient vs. ambient） in open-top chambers were examined. Significant decreases in protein, total amino acid, water and nitrogen content and increases in free fatty acid were observed in cotton bolls. Changes in quality of cotton bolls affected the growth, development and food utilization of H. armigera. Significantly longer larval development duration in three successive generations and lower pupal weight of the second and third generations were observed in cotton bollworm fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. Significantly lower fecundity was also found in successive three generations of H. armigera fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. The consumption per larva occurred significant increase in successive three generations and frass per larva were also significantly increased during the second and third generations under elevated CO2. Significantly lower relative growth rate, efficiency of conversion of ingested food and significant higher relative consumption rate in successive three generations were observed in cotton bollworm fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. Significantly lower potential female fecundity, larval numbers and population consumption were found in the second and third generations of cotton bollworm fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. The integrative effect of higher larval mortality rate and lower adult fecundity resulted in significant decreases in potential population consumption in the latter two generations. The results show that elevated CO2 adversely affects cotton bolls quality, which indicates the potential population dynamics and potential population consumption of cotton bollworm will alleviate the harm to the plants in the future rising CO2 atmosphere.

Spatial distribution of bolls affects yield formation in different genotypes of Bt cotton varieties

To optimize the spatial distribution of cotton bolls and to increase the yield,the relationship between yield components and boll spatial distribution was investigated among different Bt(Bacillus thuringensis)cotton varieties.A five-year field experiment was conducted to reveal the reasons for the differences in lint yield and fiber quality across three Bt cotton varieties with different yield formations from 2013 to 2017.The lint yield of Jiman 169(the average yield from 2013-2017 was 42.2 g/plant)was the highest,i.e.,16.3 and 36.9%higher than Lumianyan 21(L21)and Daizimian 99B(99B),respectively.And the differences in boll weight among the three cultivars were similar to the lint yield,while the others yield components were not.So the increase in lint yield was mainly attributed to the enlargement in boll weight.However,the change in fiber quality was inconsistent with the lint yield,and the quality of L21 was significantly better than that of Jimian 169(J169)and 99B,which was caused by the diversity of boll spatial distribution.Compared with 99B,the loose-type J169 had the highest number of large bolls in inner positions;the tight-type L21 had a few large bolls and the highest number of lower and middle bolls.And approximately 80.72%of the lint yield was concentrated on the inner nodes in Jiman 169,compared with 77.44%of L21 and 66.73%of 99B during the five-year experiment.Although lint yield was significantly affected by the interannual changes,the lint yield of J169 was the highest and the most stable,as well as its yield components.These observations demonstrated the increase in lint yield was due to the increase in boll weight,and the large bolls and high fiber quality were attributed to the optimal distribution of bolls within the canopies.

Flumetralin and dimethyl piperidinium chloride alter light distribution in cotton canopies by optimizing the spatial configuration of leaves and bolls

Plant growth regulators(PGRs)are frequently used to adjust cotton growth and development.The objectives of this study were to determine how PGRs affect plant morphology,light distribution and the spatial distribution of leaves and bolls within the cotton canopy.The field experiments were carried out at Shihezi(Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,China)in 2014 and 2015.The experiment included two PGR treatments:(i)flumetralin(active ingredient(a.i),N-N-ethy)-2,6-dinitro-4-aniline and(i)mepiquat chloride(ai,1-dimethyl-piperidiniuchloride)plus flumetralin.No PGR(manual topping)was applied in the control treatment.The chemically-topped plants were taller and had more main stem internodes than the manually-topped plants.Furthermore,the PGRs significantly reduced the length of fruiting branches in the upper canopy,resulting in a more compact canopy.The maximum leaf area index was signifcantly greater in the chemically-topped treatments than that in the control.In particular,the PGRs increased leaf area index by 25%in the upper canopy.The leaf area duration was also longer in the chemically-topped treatments than in the control.Compared with the control,the chemically-topped treatments increased canopy diffuse non-interceptance by 35.75%in the upper canopy layer,while reducing the fraction of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation by 14.45%in the upper canopy layer.Light transmittance in the upper and middle canopy layers was greater in the chemically-topped treatments than in the control,which increased boll numbers in both the upper canopy and the middle canopy.However,the chemically-topped treatments resulted in less light-leakage through the lower canopy layer during the late growth stages,which had a tendency to increase boll numbers in the whole canopy.In summary,the PGRs optimized canopy shape,light distribution and the spatial distribution of bolls and leaves.

Using an Electronic Nose to Rapidly Assess Grandlure Content in Boll Weevil Pheromone Lures

Samples of pheromone lures used in boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis （Boheman）, eradication programs are routinely analyzed by Gas Chromatography （GC） to ensure lures are adequately dosed with grandlure, the synthetic aggregation phero- mone produced by male weevils. However, preparation of GC samples is tedious, time consuming, and requires a moderate level of experience. We examined the use of a commercially-available electronic nose （e-nose） for rapidly assessing the grandlure contents of lures. The e-nose was trained to recognize headspace collections of grandlure emitted from new lures and after lures were aged under field conditions for 4 d, 7 d, 10 d, and 14 d. Based on cross-validation of the training set, the e-nose was 82% accurate in discriminating among the different age classes of lures. Upon sampling headspace collections of pheromone from a different set of field-aged lures, the e-nose was 〈50% accurate in discriminating 4 d, 7 d, and 10 d aged lures from the other age classes of lures. However, the e-nose identified new and 14 d aged lure samples with 100% accuracy. In light of these findings, e-nose technology shows considerable promise as an alternative approach for rapidly assessing the initial grandlure contents of lures used in boll weevil eradication programs.

Plant Nutrient Status during Boll Development and Seed Cotton Yield as Affected by Foliar Application of Different Sources of Potassium

Bt cotton hybrids require large supply of metabolites to support their greater boll load and commonly suffer from premature leaf senescence. A field experiment was conducted to study the nutritional status of Bt cotton leaves during boll development stage and to evaluate the most profitable source of foliar fertilizers. Treatments included basal application of 0 and 60 kg·K2O·ha-1 as muriate of potash (MOP) in main plots and foliar spray treatments viz: 4 & 6 sprays of 2% potassium nitrate (Multi-K, 13-00-45), 4 & 6 sprays of NPK Blend (Polyfed, 19-19-19), 4 sprays of MOP, 4 sprays of MOP + urea (to supply same amount of N & K as in potassium nitrate) and unsprayed control in sub plots. The results revealed that only N and K contents of premature senesced leaves were below the sufficiency range for cotton sufficient levels of P, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were observed. Though the concentrations of N and K in both the petiole and leaf blade initially improved with foliar spray, N content declined below the unsprayed control at later stages. Basal application of MOP increased seed cotton yield by 19%. Four foliar sprays of KNO3, NPK, MOP and MOP + urea recorded yield increase in seed cotton yield of 22.8%, 22.4%, 18.5% and 24.5%, respectively over unsprayed control. Six sprays of KNO3 and NPK had no yield advantage over four sprays and rather proved economically less viable.