Evaluation of Irrigation Termination Management on Yield of Upland Cotton

Abstract

A single field study was conducted in 1996 at the Maricopa Agricultural Center (1,175ft. elevation) to evaluate the effects of two dates of irrigation termination on the yield of a common Upland cotton variety (DPL 5415). Planting date was 11 April (667 HU/Jan 1 86/55° F thresholds. Two dates of irrigation termination (IT1 - IT2) were imposed based upon crop development into cut-out, with IT1 (14 August) being provided such that bolls set at the end of the first fruiting cycle would not be water stressed and could be fully matured The second termination (IT2) date was 10 September, which was staged so that soil moisture would be sufficient for development of bolls set up through the first week of September. Lint yield results revealed no differences between IT1 and IT2.