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Irrigation rate, timing, and cultivar effects on cotton yield and fiber quality

Author

Listed:
  • Wieber, Emily
  • Kelly, Brendan
  • Nakabuye, Hope Njuki
  • Bordovsky, James P.
  • Ritchie, Glen L.
  • Zhang, Fangyuan
  • Sun, Yazhou
  • Guo, Wenxuan

Abstract

Understanding how crop yield and quality respond to irrigation timing, rates, and varietal differences is essential for optimizing water management and identifying drought-resistant cultivars. This study evaluated the effects of irrigation management on cotton yield, seasonal water use efficiency (SIWUE), and fiber quality across different cultivars. The experiment was conducted in a drip-irrigated research field in the Southern High Plains of Texas from 2020 to 2023. Three irrigation levels, including 0 mm d⁻¹ (low, L), 2.54 mm d⁻¹ (medium, M), and 5.08 mm d⁻¹ (high, H), were applied during three growth periods defined by accumulated growing degree days (GDD₁₅.₆): period 1 (P1 = emergence to 525 GDD₁₅.₆), period 2 (P2 = 525–750 GDD₁₅.₆), and period 3 (P3 = >750 GDD₁₅.₆). These combinations of irrigation rates and periods resulted in five irrigation treatments, tested across six cotton cultivars representing different maturity groups. Results indicated that reducing irrigation during early growth stages by 38 % conserved water with minimal yield reductions (2–15 %) and a 3 % increase in SIWUE, without significantly affecting fiber quality. In contrast, reducing late-season irrigation by 64 % caused substantial yield losses (16–44 %), a 16 % decline in SIWUE, and reductions in fiber quality. Cultivar differences were evident, with early to mid-maturity cultivars (e.g., DP 1822 XF, NG 3406 B2XF, and ST4595 B3XF) exhibiting higher yield, SIWUE, and fiber quality compared to cultivars from other maturity groups. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing irrigation scheduling and selecting water-stress-tolerant cultivars as practical strategies to enhance cotton productivity and water use efficiency under semi-arid conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Wieber, Emily & Kelly, Brendan & Nakabuye, Hope Njuki & Bordovsky, James P. & Ritchie, Glen L. & Zhang, Fangyuan & Sun, Yazhou & Guo, Wenxuan, 2026. "Irrigation rate, timing, and cultivar effects on cotton yield and fiber quality," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:323:y:2026:i:c:s0378377425007437
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2025.110029
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thorp, K.R. & Thompson, A.L. & Bronson, K.F., 2020. "Irrigation rate and timing effects on Arizona cotton yield, water productivity, and fiber quality," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    2. Adhikari, Pradip & Ale, Srinivasulu & Bordovsky, James P. & Thorp, Kelly R. & Modala, Naga R. & Rajan, Nithya & Barnes, Edward M., 2016. "Simulating future climate change impacts on seed cotton yield in the Texas High Plains using the CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton model," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 164(P2), pages 317-330.
    3. Himanshu, Sushil K. & Ale, Srinivasulu & Bell, Jourdan & Fan, Yubing & Samanta, Sayantan & Bordovsky, James P. & Gitz III, Dennis C. & Lascano, Robert J. & Brauer, David K., 2023. "Evaluation of growth-stage-based variable deficit irrigation strategies for cotton production in the Texas High Plains," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    4. Qunying Luo & Michael Bange & David Johnston, 2016. "Environment and cotton fibre quality," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 138(1), pages 207-221, September.
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