The naturally colored cotton has potentiality for growth in Northeast Semi-arid, where the edaphoclimatic conditions permit the cultivation without agrochemicals. Organic fertilizers have been used to improve physico-chemical properties of the soil, establishment of beneficial microorganisms, increase of the organic matter and nutrients. The objective of this work was to determine levels and forms of application of cattle manure in colored cotton BRS 200, cultivated under organic management in Seridó, in the State of Paraiba. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks, with nine treatments and four replications, during 2000, 2001 and 2002. The treatments were originated from a factorial 4x2+1, consisting of four levels of decomposed cattle manure (10, 20, 30 and 40 t ha-1) and two sites of application (below and by the side of seeds), plus an absolute control without organic manure. Organic fertilization increased the cotton yield. Under regular climatic conditions, the sidewise application was more efficient, reaching the maximum yield with 30 t ha-1. The uniformity of fiber length decreased and the index of short fibers increased with the increment of the levels of organic manure.
Gossypium hirsutum; organic manure; organic farming; cattle manure
