The Effect of Water Deficit and Waterlogging on the Yield Components of Cotton

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the influence of waterlogging alone, drought alone, and alternating drought and waterlogging on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and yield components. Water deficit and waterlogging experiments were conducted at the flowering and boll‐setting stages of cotton. The lint and cottonseed yields were reduced after waterlogging alone, drought alone, and alternating drought and waterlogging. The lint and cottonseed yields under alternating drought and waterlogging were greater than those under drought alone. When alternating drought and waterlogging, the drought stage decreased the lint and cottonseed yields, whereas the waterlogging stage had a compensatory effect. The decrease in the number of opening bolls might be the major reason for the observed decrease in lint and cottonseed yields. Waterlogging alone, drought alone, and alternating drought and waterlogging all led to an increase in the proportion of the boll wall biomass and a decrease in the proportion of the fiber biomass of cotton bolls. The proportion of the seed biomass of cotton bolls always decreased, except under alternating drought and heavy waterlogging in 2015. The fiber/seed biomass ratio decreased, except under drought alone in 2015. These findings might provide data to support the prevention of cotton yield loss under drought and waterlogging.