Cotton Lint Yield Research Articles

Abstract Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars vary in their response to environmental factors. Recently, interest in cotton cultivars' response to varying potassium (K) fertilizer application rates and irrigation has increased. As such, the effect of cotton varieties (early and mid‐maturing), K fertilizer application rates, and irrigation on cotton growth, development, and yield were investigated in Starkville, MS, on two soil mapping units (SMUs): a Leeper silty clay loam (LSCL) and a Marietta fine sandy loam (MFSL). Cotton plant height was positively correlated with SMU, especially LSCL, reaching 60–110 cm on average, in both irrigated and rainfed conditions. Cotton lint yield, fiber quality, and leaf K concentration responded to K and irrigation, and these responses were SMU specific. Particularly, in LSCL, the early‐maturing cultivar, DP 1518 B2XF, responded to K application rate in a positive linear manner in terms of lint yield under both irrigated and rainfed conditions, whereas mid‐maturing DP 1646 B2XF did not. Moreover, lint yield in irrigated MFSL soil increased with K application rate, whereas no responses were observed in rainfed conditions. These data suggest that irrigation, SMU, and cultivar combination could have an impact on K response of cotton and should be considered when making fertility recommendations or decisions.

A Cotton experiment was laid out at the agronomic research farm of agriculture faculty of Kunduz University in spring season of 2023 to investigate effects of phosphorus fertilization of growth and yield parameters of cotton crop (Gossypium hirustum L.) under Northeast climate of Afghanistan. The experiment conducted in Randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The treatment consists: control without phosphorus fertilizer application, application of 30, 60 and 90 kg P2O5/ha. Result showed that the highest plant height (98.44 cm), Leave area index (2.78), Sympodial Branches/plant (12.88), Bolls/plant (27.66), cotton lint yield (1750 kg/ha), cotton seed yield (3979 kg/ha), cotton lint yield (182742 AFN/ha), cotton seed yield (77964 AFN/ha), gross return (260707 AFN/ha), net return (209867 AFN/ha) and benefit Cost of ratio (6) were recorded from treatment with 90 kg p2o5/ha following with application 60, 30 and Control treatments respectively. It can be possible to conclude that proper phosphorus fertilization is crucial for optimizing cotton production in this region. The study highlights the potential for improved cotton cultivation practices and increased economic returns for farmers in the Kunduz province of Afghanistan through the implementation of optimal P fertilizer application rates.

Cotton is a strategically important crop for Mali. Mainly used for export, it represents 50–60 % of the value of the country's exports. Genotype by environment interaction study was carried out to identify the most stable cotton genotype(s) and the most desirable for seed cotton yield and lint yield in 35 villages across six different environments(High Valley of the Niger, New Cotton Growing Zone, North Sudan-Sahel, Old Basin, Southern Extension Zone and Zone Sikasso-Bougouni) in a dispersed block design. Where each village represented a block, giving a total of 35 blocks or replications. A combined analysis of variance showed that yields of seed cotton and fiber were significantly affected by environments (p<0.05), but did not reveal any significant difference between genotypes or genotype-environment interactions. The result of GGE biplot analysis method showed that the polygonal view identified three mega-environments (ME1, ME2 and ME3) with three winning genotypes: BRS 293, NTA B149 and NTA L66, respectively, for seed cotton yield. For fiber yield, the winning genotypes were CG1, NTA L65 and BRS 293, respectively. Given that all the varieties tested have a mean fiber yield within the recommended norms, the two promising varieties NTA B149 and NTA L66 with good seed cotton yields and the standard check BRS 293 can be recommended for extension in the environments to which they have been assigned.

Abstract Crop growth and development is affected by intraspecies competition. This study was conducted to determine whether cotton productivity and profitability could be manipulated through planting geometry. The effects of row spacing, planting pattern, and variety on cotton fruit distribution, yield, and net returns were investigated near Bella Mina, AL, on a Decatur silt loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Paleudults); Jackson, TN, on a Calhoun silt loam (fine‐silty, mixed, active, thermic Typic Glossaqualfs); Starkville, MS, on a Leeper silty clay loam (fine, smectitic, nonacid, thermic Vertic Epiaquepts); and Stoneville, MS, on a Bosket very fine sandy loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, active, thermic Mollic Hapludalfs). For both the 76‐ and 97‐cm row spacing, transitioning from a solid to a 2 × 1 skip row pattern reduced cotton lint yield by 19%. Reduced lint yield in the 2 × 1 skip row pattern was attributed primarily to a 7% decrease in the number of Zone 1 and first‐position bolls. Consequently, planting on a solid rather than skip row pattern increased net returns by 21%. Planting cotton in either 76‐ or 97‐cm rows using a solid rather than skip row pattern likely increases crop productivity and profitability across the US cotton belt.

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Kunduz Spinzar State-Owned Corporation in Collaboration with Kunduz University to evaluate response of cotton varieties to phosphorus fertilizer on growth, yield and economic efficiency in northeast of Afghanistan, the experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) With split arrangement each replicated thrice, The study involved three cotton varieties (CD-401, AND-123 and K-01) and four phosphorus fertilizer levels (control, 30 kg p2o5/ha, 60 kg p2o5/ha and 90 kg p2o5/ha), different cotton varieties and phosphorus have significant impact on yield and economic parameters, the maximum Lint Cotton yield (1,749.02 kg/ha), Seed Cotton yield (3,666.07 kg/ha), Lint Cotton Yield (187,390AFN/ha), Seed Cotton yield (167,539 AFN/ha), gross return (354,929 AFN/ha), net return (339,876 AFN/ha) and B: Cost ratio (7.67) was in AND-123 variety compared with CD-401 and K-01 varieties respectively. The highest Lint Cotton yield (1,627.50 kg/ha), Seed Cotton yield (3,110.38 kg/ha), Lint Cotton Yield (174,370AFN/ha), Seed Cotton yield (142,144 AFN/ha), gross return (316,515 AFN/ha), net return (297,790 AFN/ha) and B: Cost ratio (7.67) was in 90 kg P2O5 kg ha-1 followed by phosphorus application of 60 kg P2O5 kg ha-1, 30 kg P2O5 kg ha-1 and control respectively. It can be concluded AND-123 cotton variety along with 90 kg p2o5/ha is the best combination for cotton productivity and profitability in northeast of Afghanistan.

Dry topsoil and relatively moist subsoil can occur in specific areas and times, limiting plant growth but creating conditions for hydraulic lift (HL). There is a lack of a rational water and nitrogen (N) strategy to improve cotton growth and maintain HL. This study investigated the effects of three topsoil water conditions (W0.6: 60–70%, W0.5: 50–60%, and W0.4: 40–50% of field capacity) and three N rates (N120-120, N240-240, and N360-360 kg N ha−1) plus one control treatment on cotton growth and HL under dry topsoil conditions in 2020 and 2021. The results showed that plant height and leaf area increased with increasing N rate, but the differences among topsoil water conditions were relatively small, except for leaf area in 2021. The HL water amount of all treatments increased gradually and then continued to decline during the observation period. There was a trend that the drier the topsoil or the more N applied, the greater the amount of HL water. Additionally, topsoil water conditions and N rate significantly affected the total HL water amount and root morphological characteristics (root length, surface area, and volume). Seed and lint cotton yield tended to decrease with increasing topsoil dryness at N240 or N360, except for lint yield in 2021, or with decreasing N rate, especially under W0.6. As topsoil became drier, the total evapotranspiration (ET) decreased, while with the increase in N rate, ET showed small differences. Water use efficiency increased with a higher N rate, while N partial factor productivity (PFPN) did the opposite. Furthermore, the PFPN under W0.4 was significantly lower than that under W0.6 at N240 or N120. These findings could be useful for promoting the utilization of deep water and achieving sustainable agricultural development.

The experiment was carried out at Kabba College of Agriculture experimental field in 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons to evaluate response of cotton cultivars to soil and foliar applied fertilizer. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with two factors arranged in split plot arrangement in three replications. The first experimental factor was a cultivar, include two cotton varieties Hybrid and Lokoja local (abbreviated as C1 and C2) were used. The second experimental factor was the different nitrogen sources applied at five levels, NS1 = No Nitrogen source (control), NS2 = NPK (20:10:10 plus boron) fertilizer applied into soil alone = 80kg NPK & B, NS3 = NPK & B at 50% (40kg N) + Agric Zyme 50% (40 kg N), NS4 = NPK & B at 75% (60kg N) + Agric Zyme at 25% (20kg N) and NS5 = NPK & B at 25% (20kg N) + Agric Zyme at (60kg N). Data were collected on growth characters such as plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area fresh and dry weight of cotton. Yield characters observed were number of flowers per plant, cotton ball per plant, cotton yield per plant and cotton lint yield. All plots with NPK&B and Agric Zyme produce better growth and yield characters than the control. All plots with NPK&B alone or in combination with Agric Zyme at reduced level produced similar growth characters. Cotton with fertilizer application either singly or combined produced higher number of flowers and cotton balls compared to the control. Cotton grows through hybrid seeds gave more flowers and cotton balls more than Lokoja local seeds used. Cotton with fertilizer application were susceptible to pest attacked compared to cotton grow in the control plots. Cotton grows with the use of hybrid seed gave higher number of aborted flowers than the Lokoja local seed used. Though, cotton plant grows with NPK&B at 80 kg /ha gave the highest yield of cotton. All other plots with combined application of NPK&B and Agric Zyme produced yield comparable to plots with NPK&B at 80 kg /ha. Among cotton with combined application of NPK&B and Agric Zyme, plots treated with NPK & B at 25% (20kg N) + Agric Zyme at 75% (60kg N) gave the greatest yield. Cotton with hybrid seed produced cotton yield higher than the Lokoja local seed. The increment in hybrid cotton yield over Lokoja local seed is 58.52%. Cotton farmers in the study area should grow hybrid cotton using any of the treatment combinations especially NPK & B at 25% (20kg N) + Agric Zyme at 75% (60kg N).

Aims: To determine the optimum irrigation schedule and nitrogen level for Bt cotton in alfisols in Southern Telangana.
 Study Design: Split plot design.
 Place and Duration of Study: ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during kharif 2014.
 Methodology: The experiment was laid out with three irrigation schedules (I1- 0.8 IW/CPE, I2 - 0.4 IW/CPE and I3 - Rainfed) as main plots and four nitrogen levels (N1- 0 kg ha-1, N2 - 75 kg ha-1, N3 - 150 kg ha-1 and N4 - 225 kg ha-1) as sub plot treatments replicated thrice. Treatments imposed as per the schedule and data recorded on yield, yield attributes, nitrogen uptake by adopting standard procedures
 Results: Irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE recorded significantly higher plant height (79 cm), drymatter at first picking (195 g plant-1), bolls plant-1 (16), seed cotton yield (1435 kg ha-1), lint yield (541 kg ha-1), stalk yield (2057 kg ha-1) and nitrogen uptake (63 kg ha-1) and was not differed significantly with 0.4 IW/CPE and these were significantly superior to rainfed cotton. Among nitrogen levels, significantly higher plant height (90 cm), drymatter at first picking (214 g plant-1) stage, days to reach boll development (90) stage, bolls plant-1 (15), boll weight (5.3 g), seed index (9.9 g), seed cotton yield (1435 kg ha-1), lint yield (547 kg ha -1) and stalk yield (2214 kg ha -1) were found with application of nitrogen at 225 kg ha-1 was comparable with 150 kg N ha-1 and were significantly superior over lower levels of nitrogen application. The substantial increase in yield and yield attributes might be due to favorable effect on growth attributes like plant height, increased bolls plant-1, drymatter accumulation plant-1 and its subsequent translocation towards sink improved the seed cotton yield.
 Conclusion: It can be concluded that, higher seed cotton yield can be obtained with the irrigation scheduled at 0.4 IW/CPE and application of nitrogen at 150 kg ha-1 in Bt cotton grown in alfisols.

Fiber quality traits, especially fiber strength, length, and micronaire (FS, FL, and FM), have been recognized as critical fiber attributes in the textile industry, while the lint percentage (LP) was an important indicator to evaluate the cotton lint yield. So far, the genetic mechanism behind the formation of these traits is still unclear. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification and candidate gene validation provide an effective methodology to uncover the genetic and molecular basis of FL, FS, FM, and LP. A previous study identified three important QTL/QTL cluster loci, harboring at least one of the above traits on chromosomes A01, A07, and D12 via a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross of Lumianyan28 (L28) × Xinluzao24 (X24). A secondary segregating population (F2) was developed from a cross between L28 and an RIL, RIL40 (L28 × RIL40). Based on the population, genetic linkage maps of the previous QTL cluster intervals on A01 (6.70-10.15 Mb), A07 (85.48-93.43 Mb), and D12 (0.40-1.43 Mb) were constructed, which span 12.25, 15.90, and 5.56 cM, with 2, 14, and 4 simple sequence repeat (SSR) and insertion/deletion (Indel) markers, respectively. QTLs of FL, FS, FM, and LP on these three intervals were verified by composite interval mapping (CIM) using WinQTL Cartographer 2.5 software via phenotyping of F2 and its derived F2:3 populations. The results validated the previous primary QTL identification of FL, FS, FM, and LP. Analysis of the RNA-seq data of the developing fibers of L28 and RIL40 at 10, 20, and 30 days post anthesis (DPA) identified seven differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as potential candidate genes. qRT-PCR verified that five of them were consistent with the RNA-seq result. These genes may be involved in regulating fiber development, leading to the formation of FL, FS, FM, and LP. This study provides an experimental foundation for further exploration of these functional genes to dissect the genetic mechanism of cotton fiber development.

Abstract Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an important crop in drought‐prone central Texas. Foliar potassium (K) application and skip‐row planting have the potential to improve productivity of rainfed cotton in this region. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of skip‐row planting and foliar K on cotton lint yield, biomass, nutrient uptake, and lint quality in rainfed cotton from 2017 to 2020. Foliar K was applied at 0, 20, and 40 kg ha−1. Row arrangement treatments consisted of two planting geometries: 2 × 1 skip row and standard full row. Cotton yield was not affected by foliar K in all years or by row spacing in 2017, 2019, or 2020. In 2018 alone, there was greater lint yield from skip row (530 kg ha−1) compared to full row (423 kg ha−1). The skip‐row treatment resulted in significantly lower vegetative biomass and vegetative K uptake, but improved fiber quality. While foliar K application did not impact lint yield, total biomass and vegetative nitrogen and phosphorus uptake were increased with foliar K. There were year‐to‐year differences in seed and vegetative biomass, nutrient uptake, and lint quality, likely driven by differences in rainfall, with 2018 being unusually dry. Weather variation had more impact on cotton productivity than either treatment. However, given that the skip‐row treatment increased quality and yield in the driest year while not affecting yield in wetter years makes it a viable option for cotton producers looking to reduce costs and increase profits in drought‐prone regions.

Bt hybrid cotton faced 30-60% excess rains in 70% years since its release and four times water logging in 2021, in a deep and shallow Vertisols with Calcareous sub-strata forced to confirm all the agronomical advices to it. Water logging reduced the biomass, boll number and cotton lint yields to more than 50 percent except the fibre quality. Prevailing runoff and leaching losses of soil applied fertilizer nutrients were accumulated at downstream, which increased the soil test values. Water logging caused reduction of index leaf N, P, K, Zn and B nutrient status below the threshold levels. Soil application of Zn and B once in three years alone or seed treatment formulation with N, P, K Bio-inoculant consortia along with nano ZnO 0.0004% + CuO 0.0001% as seed treatment at the time of sowing with or without foliar application of NPK WSF 2%, Zn 0.5%, B 0.3% or 0.04% nano formulations of DAP alternated with Urea alongwith ZnO and K with common insecticides and fungicidal sprays significantly improved index leaf nutrient status, biomass, boll number and seed cotton yields in both the soils. Validation of these results in station trials during 2022-24 found the need for atleast two foliar application of nano nutrients each DAP + ZnO + K followed by nano Urea+ ZnO + K 0.004% alternately at the mid and end September and October months. This increased N, P, K, Zn, B content in index leaves and seeds with additional cotton lint yield 209 kg ha-1 worth 174 US $ ha-1 net profit by soil application ZnSO4 20 and Borox 5 kg ha-1 yr -3 in Vertisols and three times foliar application at squaring, flowering and boll formation stage with nano ZnO 0.004%+ B 0.3% or ZnSO4 0.36% +Boron 0.2% in Vertisols with calcareous sub-strata.

Lint yield in cotton is governed by light intercepted by the canopy (IPAR), radiation use efficiency (RUE), and harvest index (HI). However, the conventional methods of measuring these yield-governing physiological parameters are labor-intensive, time-consuming and requires destructive sampling. This study aimed to explore the use of low-cost and high-resolution UAV-based RGB and multispectral imagery 1) to estimate fraction of IPAR (IPARf), RUE, and biomass throughout the season, 2) to estimate lint yield using the cotton fiber index (CFI), and 3) to determine the potential use of biomass and lint yield models for estimating cotton HI. An experiment was conducted during the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons in Tifton, Georgia, USA in randomized complete block design with five different nitrogen treatments. Different nitrogen treatments were applied to generate substantial variability in canopy development and yield. UAV imagery was collected bi-weekly along with light interception and biomass measurements throughout the season, and 20 different vegetation indices (VIs) were computed from the imagery. Generalized linear regression was performed to develop models using VIs and growing degree days (GDDs). The IPARf models had R2 values ranging from 0.66 to 0.90, and models based on RVI and RECI explained the highest variation (93%) in IPARf during cross-validation. Similarly, cotton above-ground biomass was best estimated by models from MSAVI and OSAVI. Estimation of RUE using actual biomass measurement and RVI-based IPARf model was able to explain 84% of variation in RUE. CFI from UAV-based RGB imagery had strong relationship (R2 = 0.69) with machine harvested lint yield. The estimated HI from CFI-based lint yield and MSAVI-based biomass models was able to explain 40 to 49% of variation in measured HI for the 2022 growing season. The models developed to estimate the yield-contributing physiological parameters in cotton showed low to strong performance, with IPARf and above-ground biomass having greater prediction accuracy. Future studies on accurate estimation of lint yield is suggested for precise cotton HI prediction. This study is the first attempt of its kind and the results can be used to expand and improve research on predicting functional yield drivers of cotton.

Abstract Optimizing irrigation termination time can save water and preserve lint yield and fiber quality in cotton. Although there is currently an irrigation termination recommendation in Georgia, the ideal time for termination could be influenced by cultivar differences in maturity. The hypotheses of this study were that differential irrigation termination times will affect lint yield, fiber quality, and incidence of hardlock and boll rot, and responses will be dependent on cultivar differences in maturity. In 2021 and 2022, a study was conducted in Camilla, GA, using two cotton cultivars with contrasting maturities under four irrigation termination treatments. Irrigation was terminated at cutout, first open boll, 2 weeks after first open boll, and 4 weeks after first open boll. Measurements included plant growth, cutout date, lint yield, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), fiber quality, and incidence of boll diseases. Gas exchange measurements and percent open boll estimates at each irrigation termination time were also conducted. Terminating irrigation at cutout did not significantly affect yield in either year; however, IWUE increased 12.6% relative to current recommendations and 13.2% relative to the latest termination time in the 2022 season. Cultivars differed significantly in cutout date, agronomic maturity, gas exchange rates, yield, hardlock/boll rot incidence, and fiber quality. However, there was no interaction between cultivar and irrigation termination time for any parameter. We conclude that irrigation can be terminated at cutout to maximize IWUE, for early and late‐maturing cultivars, without limiting yield or fiber quality, assuming a water‐replete soil profile at termination.

Genetic progress in seed and fiber quality traits of cotton in Argentina

Foliar application of silicon and boron improves boll retention, lint yield and fiber quality traits of transgenic cotton

Physiological Characteristics, Lint Yield, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Cotton Under Different Nitrogen Application Rates and Waterlogging Durations

65 years of cotton lint yield progress in the USA: Uncovering key influential yield components

Numerous endogenous and environmental signals regulate the intricate and highly orchestrated process of plant senescence. Ethylene (ET), which accumulates as senescence progresses, is a major promoter of leaf senescence. The master transcription activator ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3) activates the expression of a wide range of downstream genes during leaf senescence. Here, we found that a unique EIN3-LIKE 1 (EIL1) gene, cotton LINT YIELD INCREASING (GhLYI), encodes a truncated EIN3 protein in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) that functions as an ET signal response factor and a positive regulator of senescence. Ectopic expression or overexpression of GhLYI accelerated leaf senescence in both Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and cotton. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) analyses revealed that SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED GENE 20 (SAG20) was a target of GhLYI. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), yeast 1-hybrid (Y1H), and dual-luciferase transient expression assay confirmed that GhLYI directly bound the promoter of SAG20 to activate its expression. Transcriptome analysis revealed that transcript levels of a series of senescence-related genes, SAG12, NAC-LIKE, ACTIVATED by APETALA 3/PISTILLATA (NAP/ANAC029), and WRKY53, are substantially induced in GhLYI overexpression plants compared with wild-type (WT) plants. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) preliminarily confirmed that knockdown of GhSAG20 delayed leaf senescence. Collectively, our findings provide a regulatory module involving GhLYI-GhSAG20 in controlling senescence in cotton.

Optimizing soil health through soil amendments is a promising strategy for enhancing rainwater efficiency for stabilizing crop production. Biochar, obtained by torrefaction of sugarcane bagasse, a byproduct from sugar mills, has a high potential for its use as a soil amendment, which can boost crop yields, but needs further field trials for its adoption in farming systems. A field study was conducted during 2019–2021 at Stoneville, Mississippi, to assess rainfed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production under four biochar levels (0, 10, 20, and 40 t ha−1) on Dundee silt loam soil. The effects of biochar on cotton growth and lint yield and quality were examined. Biochar levels had no significant impact on cotton lint and seed yield for the first two years. Still, in the third year, a significant increase in lint yield by 13 and 21.7% was recorded at 20 and 40 t ha−1 biochar levels, respectively. In the third year, lint yields were 1523, 1586, 1721, and 1854 kg ha−1 at 0, 10, 20 and 40 t ha−1 biochar levels, respectively. Similarly, cotton seed yield increased by 10.8% and 13.4% in 20 and 40 t ha−1 biochar plots. This study demonstrated that successive biochar applications at 20 or 40 t ha−1 can enhance cotton lint and seed yields under rainfed conditions. These improved yields with biochar did not produce increased net returns due to the increased production costs. Many lint quality parameters were unaffected except for micronaire, fiber strength and fiber length. However, potential long-term benefits of enhanced cotton production from biochar application beyond the length of the study merit further investigation. Additionally, biochar application is more relevant when accrued carbon credits through carbon sequestration outweigh the increased production costs due to biochar application.

High dosage of mepiquat chloride delays defoliation of harvest aids in cotton