Abstract
Delayed cotton (Gossypium spp.) planting generally reduces lint yield because it reduces the length of the growing season. Planting cotton too early also can reduce lint yield. Most growers believe that reduced yield with early planting is caused by reduced stand. Previous research suggested that low temperature during germination and early seedling growth may reduce lint yield regardless of stand. This study attempts to clarify low temperature effects on lint yield by partitioning cotton lint yield reduction from early planting into the effects from reduced stand and other factors. Soils were Typic Torrifluvents. Thermic Torrilluvents, and Anthropic Torrifluvents. Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced lint yield from early planting in five tests. American pima cotton (G. barbadense L.) grown in four of the tests had smaller, nonsignificant lint yield decreases from early planting in three of the tests and higher lint yield from early planting in the fourth test. Early planted cotton generally was shorter. A comparison of upland cotton lint yields, using adjustment by regression analyses with plant population, indicated that something other than plant population, presumably low temperature, caused approximately 100, 94, 66, 22, and 0 % of the lint reduction from early planting in five analyses. Thus physiological and morphological effects of low temperatures early in the cotton planting season often may contribute as much to reduced lint yield as does reduced stand.
Published Version
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