Abstract
Water scarcity constrains global cotton production. However, partial root-zone drying (PRD) and mulching can be used as good techniques to save water and enhance crop production, especially in arid regions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mulching for water conservation in an arid environment under PRD and to further assess the osmotic adjustment and enzymatic activities for sustainable cotton production. The study was carried out for 2 years in field conditions using mulches (NM = no mulch, BPM = black plastic mulch at 32 kg ha-1, WSM = wheat straw mulch at 3 tons ha-1, CSM = cotton sticks mulch at 10 tons ha-1) and two irrigation levels (FI = full irrigation and PRD (50% less water than FI). High seed cotton yield (SCY) achieved in FI+WSM (4457 and 4248 kg ha-1 in 2017 and 2018, respectively) and even in PRD+WSM followed by BPM>CSM>NM under FI and PRD for both years. The higher SCY and traits observed in FI+WSM and PRD+WSM compared with the others were attributed to the improved water use efficiency and gaseous exchange traits, increased hormone production (ABA), osmolyte accumulation, and enhanced antioxidants to scavenge the excess reactive oxygen. Furthermore, better cotton quality traits were also observed under WSM either with FI or PRD irrigation regimes. Mulches applications found effective to control the weeds in the order as BPM>WSM>CSM. In general, PRD can be used as an effective stratagem to save moisture along with WSM, which ultimately can improve cotton yield in the water-scarce regions under arid climatic regions. It may prove as a good adaptation strategy under current and future water shortage scenarios of climate change.
Highlights
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a fiber crop, which boosts the economy of various countries around the world
Considering the data related to leaf area index (LAI) in 2017, using wheat straw mulch (WSM) showed the highest LAI (2.30) followed by BPM (2.10), and the minimum LAI was observed in CSM (1.81)
This study explored partial root-zone drying irrigation technique (PRD) as an efficient irrigation technique along with WSM application under limited water supply, improving cotton yield and fiber quality under an arid climatic region
Summary
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a fiber crop, which boosts the economy of various countries around the world. Cotton is the second major crop in Pakistan after wheat. Its production declined due to various factors; among environmental issues is the most contributing factor (GOP, 2016-2017; Rahman et al 2016). One of the main climatic issues that can affect agricultural production negatively is drought. Many field crops including cotton require a high amount of water and extra irrigation for successful production under arid climatic conditions. Both climate change and environmental issues resulted in a shortage of agricultural water for crops (Rahman et al 2020; Salehnia et al 2020; Arshad et al 2021). Increasing water use efficiency (WUE) requires more emphasis on crop-water management strategies considering crop physiology especially in water-scarce arid regions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
