Using SNPs for transplanting of cotton seedlings to increase plant growth and yield

Straw nursery pots (SNPs), which utilize agricultural residues such as wheat straw and corn stalks as raw materials, can be widely used in the transplanting of seedlings of crops, vegetables, flowers and trees. Plastic nursery pots (PNPs) and direct sowing (DS) were used as controls in evaluating the effects of SNPs on plant growth, dry matter partitioning, yields and economic benefits of transplanted cotton. SNPs significantly increased the rate of emergence, shortened the convalescent period by about 7 d and increased the transplant survival rate by 8.8% compared to PNPs. This led to significantly increased dry matter accumulation: that of reproductive parts for SNP seedlings were 1.5- and 1.8-fold of that for PNPs and DS, respectively. The lint yield using SNPs was 11.5 and 17.5% greater than for PNPs and DS, respectively. Boll number per plant with SNPs was 7.5 and 23.3% greater than for PNPs and DS, respectively; lint weight was not significantly different than with PNPs and was 5.8% greater than for DS. There were no significant differences in lint percentage among the three systems. Further benefit analysis showed that net revenue per hectare from using SNPs in cotton production was US$108 and US$279 greater than for PNP and DS, respectively. This was mainly due to significantly increased output, a reduced number of seedlings needed, nursery pot costs accounting for a relatively small proportion of total investment, and the relatively low labor costs in China.