The Impact of Drought on Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum) Fiber Quality

Authors: Sassenrath, Gretchen; Thibodeaux, Devron; SENTER, HERMAN - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2007
Publication Date: 10/4/2007
Citation: Sassenrath, G.F., Thibodeaux, D.P., Senter, H. 2007. The Impact of Drought on Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum) Fiber Quality. American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. CD-ROM

Interpretive Summary: Increasing importance is being placed on the quality of cotton fiber. Higher quality fiber is more suitable for the advanced spinning technologies in use. This is reflected in the price paid for quality, and the competition in the global markets. This study was undertaken to explore the impact of management practices on cotton fiber quality. Supplemental irrigation has been shown to improve cotton yields. With increasing environmental concerns for soil and water resources, increasing use of conservation management practices are being employed in cotton production. In this study, we compared two cotton production systems, a conventional system that included in-row subsoiling in the fall and a conservation system that had no sub-soiling but included a winter cover crop. The two systems were managed with and without irrigation. Plots were harvested with a commercial cotton picker equipped with a sampling system for large plot harvests. Samples of the seed cotton were ginned on research gins, and fiber properties measured with AFIS and HVI analysis. Standard cotton classing was performed at the USDA-AMS Classing Office in Dumas, AR. Irrigation significantly improved yield, and strongly influenced several fiber properties. Yield and some fiber properties were influenced by production system. Soil was also found to influence some fiber properties.

Technical Abstract: Inadequate moisture during the growing season has been shown to reduce cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) lint yields. Little is known, however, as to how in-season growing conditions alter cotton fiber quality. Here, we show the impact of irrigation on cotton fiber quality. Cotton was grown in large replicated field plots with and without irrigation. Plots were mechanically harvested with a plot picker. Cotton was ginned on a small scale research gin and a production gin. Fiber properties were determined with AFIS and HVI analysis. Several important fiber properties are negatively impacted by inadequate moisture. These properties reduce the value of the lint, negatively impacting the potential net return