Effect of ammonium chloride on the growth and nutrient uptake by cotton grown in alkaline soil

An experiment was conducted to study the influence of NH4Cl (A.R. grade or commercial fertilizer)on pH of alkaline soil and on the growth, yield, nitrate reductase activity and nutrient uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) variety NIAB-Karishma. Application of NH 4 Cl significantly reduced the soil pH and increased the plant height, cotton yield plant' and nitrate reductase activity. NH 4 Cl A.R. grade was better than NH 4 Cl commercial fertilizer. Nutrient uptake such as Na + , K + , Ca 2 + , Cl and N except P increased with NH 4 Cl application in the stem and leaves of cotton plants grown in saline conditions. A.R. grade NH 4 Cl proved more effective than NH 4 Cl commercial fertilizer in enhancing nutrient uptake except for Na + , which was higher in NH 4 Cl commercial fertilizer treated plants.