Improving cotton fiber quality through strategic sowing: implications for phosphorus management from experiments in Chato district, Tanzania
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Natural Fibers
Abstract
This study was conducted in Msilale Village, Chato District in Tanzania, to
evaluate the influence of sowing dates and phosphorus levels on cotton fiber
quality. The study was established according to a factorial trial, with varying
sowing dates (25th November 2022, 15th December 2022 and 4th
January 2023) and phosphorus levels (control, 20 kg P ha−1, 40 kg P ha−1,
60 kg P ha−1). Results revealed that early planting had a statistically signifi
cant (p < .001) effect on fiber cotton quality, including spinning coefficient
index, fiber length, fiber strength, uniformity index, short fiber content, and
grade/color. Early sowing dates (25th November 2022 and 15th
December 2022) consistently produced superior fiber quality, including spin
ning coefficient index (156.5 and 148.4), moisture content of the fiber (7.8%
and 7.7%), micronaire (3.5 μg/inch), upper half mean length (1.2 cm), unifor
mity index (84.6% and 84.2%) and shorter fiber (6.8% and 7.0%) relative to
late sowing (4th January 2023). Conversely, phosphorus levels did not sig
nificantly (p > .05) impact these parameters within the tested range. This
research underscores the critical role of selecting appropriate sowing dates
for cotton cultivation to achieve better fiber quality.
Description
Research article
Keywords
Crop management strategies, fibre value attributes, improved livelihoods, soil fertility, sustainable agricultural systems, Tanzania
Citation
Jacob Shauri Tlatlaa, George Muhamba Tryphone & Eliakira Kisetu Nassary (2024) Improving Cotton Fiber Quality Through Strategic Sowing: Implications for Phosphorus Management from Experiments in Chato District, Tanzania, Journal of Natural Fibers, 21:1, 2365352, DOI: 10.1080/15440478.2024.2365352