Table 4 Effects of fertilization schedule on nutrient uptake and efficiencies by cotton plant based on field trial (2012–2013).

From: Minimum fertilization at the appearance of the first flower benefits cotton nutrient utilization of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

Treatments

Nutrient recovery ratio (%)

Nutrient partial productivity (kg kg−1)

N

P

K

N

P

K

FT1

85.0a

73.4a

85.5a

6.28a

20.93a

6.28a

FT2

73.1b

59.3b

69.3b

5.77ab

19.24ab

5.77ab

FT3

61.2c

53.1b

69.7b

5.69ab

18.96ab

5.69ab

FT4

58.4c

50.2b

62.8c

5.11ab

17.04bc

5.11ab

FT5

56.3c

45.9c

63.2c

4.97b

16.56c

4.97b

FT6

80.5a

68.3a

83.7a

6.16a

20.53a

6.16a

  1. Means within a column of the same year followed by a different letter are significantly different (P < 0.05) according to the Duncan multiple range test. Abbreviations: FT1 = 0 DAF (days after the first flower), FT2 = 5 DAF, FT3 = 10 DAF, FT4 = 15 DAF, and FT5 = 20 DAF and at three splits as the conventional control (FT6) for pre-plant fertilization (30% N, and 100% of the other nutrients), first bloom fertilization (40% N), and peak bloom fertilization (30% N).
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