Abstract
Modification of the cotton canopy results in shade avoidance and competition for light, which shows that density and spatial arrangement of cotton have a great impact on light interception. This experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 in the experimental field at the Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science in Anyang city, Henan Province, China. Six plant densities of cotton variety SCRC28 were used to assess spatial competition for light in cotton populations during the whole growing period. Light interception data were collected and analyzed according to the spatial grid method and the extension of Simpson’s 3/8 rule. The results showed that at the bottom of the canopy, greater light interception was observed at high densities than at low densities, while in the external part of the layer of the canopy in the horizontal direction, low light interception was recorded at low densities. Leaf area, aboveground biomass and plant height were obviously correlated with light interception, and the cotton population with a higher density (8.7 plants m−2) performed best at the light interception competition, and with the highest yield. The results will provide guidance on light management through the optimization of the structure of the canopy to provide more solar radiation and a significant basis by which to improve the management of light and canopy architecture.
Highlights
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an important cash crop in China [1] and plays a role in national defense, medicine, and industry [2]
The results show that there were no significant differences at a height above 80 cm, while at a height below 80 cm, high-densities cotton plants showed a higher fraction light interception than the plants growing at a lower density
This study presents the spatial grid method to identify stable measurement points in the cotton canopy between two cotton rows, which established a spatial grid perpendicular to the cotton plants, and focused on the comparison of light interception by cotton plants
Summary
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an important cash crop in China [1] and plays a role in national defense, medicine, and industry [2]. Keeping the total area of cotton cultivation unchanged or slightly reduced while achieving an increase in total cotton production and cotton yield requires understanding of light competition among plants. Traditional cotton planting technology is inefficient because labor costs are high and operation processes are cumbersome, and rapid development of the cotton industry is not applicable [4], hindering cotton production [5]. To solve these problems, a highly productive agricultural production system is needed that combines maximum resource utilization with automation provided by agricultural machinery [6]. Cotton is a crop with indeterminate growth habit, and lighting is a key factor that can directly and indirectly determine its quality and yield [7,8]
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.
