Effect of supplemental foliar-applied potassium on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and lint quality under drought stress

A study to determine the effect of supplemental foliar-applied potassium on cotton (gossypium hirsutum l.) yield and lint quality under drought stress was conducted using six cotton varieties,three drought tolerant (cim-496,cim-473 and fh-1200) and three drought sensitive (cim-534,cim-554 and fh-945) and two levels of supplemental foliar- applied potassium (0 and 1 %). the experiment was conducted in lysimeter for consecutive two years with four water levels i.e. well watered (100% fc),medium watered (80% fc),low watered (60% fc) and soil stored moisture (40% fc). results indicated that tolerant cotton variety maintained higher yield and lint quality at all drought stress levels. supplemental foliar application (1%) of potassium significantly improved the drought tolerance potential and yield in all cotton varieties. however,cotton variety cim-473 ranked first in fiber strength and fiber length whereas fiber micronaire was higher in cotton variety cim-496. the variety fh-1200 with the foliar application (1%) of potassium produced the highest cotton yield. foliar application of 1% potassium as supplementary source under drought stress conditions was found helpful in improving yield and quality of cotton.