Flower, boll development, and fruiting patterns of cotton at four levels of water application under a drip irrigation system

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of four drip irrigation treatments on five fruiting characteristics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) using periodic observations to gauge the relative impact of these effects over time. The fruiting characteristics measured were: (1) number of flowers, (2) percent boll set, (3) number of bolls, (4) weight boll-1, and (5) seedcotton production. The irrigation treatments included four levels that in total season applied irrigation equaled 60, 68, 76, and 83 cm of water. Periodic observations included three, 3-week-intervals from the onset of flowering (26 June) to cutout (29 August). Results indicate that irrigation treatments had a significant effect on all characters measured, only in the later stages of development (later in the season) with higher amounts of irrigation applied producing higher levels of each character measured. Significant differences were found among periods of observation for all characters measured.