Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part C (2026)

A field trial was conducted at Cotton Research Farm, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during the kharif season of 2024-25 to evaluate the response of different Bt cotton hybrids under varying plant geometry on fiber quality, yield and economic evaluation in Bt cotton under drip irrigation. Three Bt hybrids viz. AKHH 2022-1 Bt, RCH-971 BG-2 and SWCH 4823 BG-2 tested with three plant geometry viz. 90 cm x 15 cm, 90 cm x 30 cm and 90 cm x 45 cm in factorial randomized block design with three replications and nine treatment combinations. The field was equipped with an inline drip irrigation system with 16 mm laterals placed at 90 cm apart and drippers spaced 40 cm apart. Results revealed significant variation among Bt hybrids and spacing levels. The hybrid AKHH 2022-1 Bt recorded the highest seed cotton yield (3134 kg ha^-1) and lint yield (1165 kg ha ^-1), numerically higher fiber quality parameters such as UHML (29.8 mm), micronaire value (5.6 μg inch^-1), tenacity (29.2 g tex^-1), elongation (%) and uniformity index (%) and maximum economic returns. Among plant geometry, denser planting of 90 cm × 15 cm registered the highest seed cotton (3435 kg ha^-1) and lint yield (1260 kg ha^-1). The closer spacing also enhanced gross (251311 Rs ha^-1), net monetary returns (145573 Rs ha^-1) and B:C ratio (2.82) compared to wider spacing. Whereas, in interaction effect of AKHH 2022-1 Bt sown at (90 cm × 15 cm) denser spacing recorded higher profitability with 2.72 B:C ratio.