Multi-location trial were conducted to explore the possibility of enhancing the productivity of rainfed area using high density planting system (HDPS) in arboreum cotton through appropriate fertilizer management during kharif season 2010-11 on medium deep black soils (Vertisols) of Nagpur, Akola, Parbhani and Nandyal location. On the basis of pooled results obtained from present investigation, the seed cotton yield of promising varieties of desi cotton under HDPS was enhanced upto 2197 kg ha-1 with the application of 25% higher dose of NPK fertilizer at all the four locations under rainfed conditions. Among the arboreum varieties, maximum number of opened bolls (16.3 bolls/ plant) with good boll weight (2.34 g) was found in JLA 794 over other varieties. Data on yield of different varieties at different locations indicate that higher yield of arboreum cotton in HDPS was recorded in variety AKA 7 (2065 kg ha-1) and AKA 9703 (2023 kg ha-1) at Akola, JLA 794 (1770 kg ha-1) and PA 255 (1744 kg ha-1) at Nagpur followed by Yaganti (1809 kg ha-1) and Srinandi (1694 kg ha-1) at Nandyal. Similarly, the highest net return of ` 62,927 per hectare with B:C of 3.38 at Akola followed by net return of ` 60,002 per hectare with B:C 3.77 at Nagpur were recorded with the application of 125% RDF, using HDPS in G.arboreum cotton.