Two-year field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of fertilizer with or without farmyard manure (FYM) application on cotton productivity and fibre quality. A partial nutrient balance was calculated by the difference method (nutrient applied-crop removal). Seed cotton yield was improved with addition of FYNI (5 Mg ha(-1)). Application of both N and P resulted in significant improvements in seed cotton yield than the control and without N plots (PK). Uniformity ratio and ginning outturn (GOT) was greater in the FYM amended plots than the plots without FYNI. Nitrogen and P balance was positive in the fertilizer-N and P applied plots whereas K balance was negative in spite of the addition of fertilizer-K. Potassium balance was positive only when FYM was applied. These studies suggest that it is advantageous to apply FYM as it improves fibre yield by way of improved GOT and maintains a positive nutrient balance. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.