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A field experiment was conducted during the year 2011-12 and 2012-2013 at Department of Agronomy, Dr.Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola to study the soil moisture movement, nitrogen and potassium distribution and seed cotton yield due to split application of N and K fertilizers compared to conventional soil application of fertilizers in Bt cotton. The results indicated that soil moisture content was higher in soil layer of 0-30 cm vertically and it decreased with the increase in lateral distance from the emitter. Similarly it was higher in the surface layer (0-15 cm) and followed a decreasing trend with increase in depth. The mobility of nutrients was observed more in drip fertigation than conventional soil application method. The available nitrogen and potassium under drip fertigation levels showed increased concentrations as per the increment in the fertilizers doses from 50 to 125 per cent given through fertigation. There was a decrease in available N from dripper point both horizontally and vertically and highest available N was noticed at 125 per cent fertigation level at dripper point. The soil available K content was higher in the surface soil than in the subsoil. Drip fertigation at 125 per cent RDNK ha-1 had recorded higher seed cotton yield of 3680 Kg ha-1 and 3326 Kg ha-1during 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively. Drip fertigation at 75 per cent RDNK ha-1 recorded comparable yield with 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers applied through soil by conventional method during both the years of study indicating 25 per cent fertilizer saving through fertigation when compared to conventional soil application of fertilizers.
Keywords: Fertigation, Cotton, Soil moisture, Nutrient dynamics