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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #410757
Research Project: Enhancing the Profitability and Sustainability of Upland Cotton, Cottonseed, and Agricultural Byproducts through Improvements in Pre-Ginning, Ginning, and Post-Ginning Processes

Location: Cotton Production and Processing Research

Title: In situ impacts of late season low temperatures on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fiber qualtiy and yield on the Texas high plains

Author
item SHUMATE, B - Texas A&M Agrilife
item MAEDA, M - Texas A&M Agrilife
item BELL, J - Texas A&M Agrilife
item Wanjura, John
item ORTUZ, R - Texas A&M Agrilife
item KELLY, B - Texas A&M Agrilife

Submitted to: Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/2024
Publication Date: 7/26/2024
Citation: Shumate, B., Maeda, M., Bell, J., Wanjura, J.D., Ortuz, R., Kelly, B. 2024. In situ impacts of late season low temperatures on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fiber qualtiy and yield on the Texas high plains. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 7(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20537.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20537

Interpretive Summary: Weather patterns in the Texas High Plains region are variable from year to year and cold (freezing) temperatures received late in the growing season can limit the maturity of the crop. However, in-field research to determine the impacts of late season cool temperatures (non-freezing) on cotton boll development has not previously been conducted. To address this issue, we collected cotton yield and fiber quality data from multiple fruiting nodes on plants in two locations in the Texas High Plains before, during, and after a cold front moved through the area. The data suggest that late season cool temperatures (temperatures below 10°C) do not permanently halt cotton boll development. These findings are of significant interest to cotton growers making late season decisions regarding irrigation termination and the use and timing of harvest aid chemicals.

Technical Abstract: Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) production is important for the economy of the Texas High Plains (THP). This region of Texas is semi-arid and regularly experiences harsh weather conditions that can be difficult to predict. Some years, a cold front will pass through the area before local cotton crops have reached maturity and there are concerns that fiber maturation stops after these cold weather events. In 2020, fiber samples were collected at two locations on the THP (representing northern and southern cotton producing regions, before, during, and after a cold front (<10°C) moved through the area in September, which is a critical period for fiber maturation. Single boll samples were taken at New Deal, Texas (representing a southern location) in the first position from nodes 5, 8 and 11. At Etter, Texas (representing a northern location), 30-boll bulk samples were taken from first position bolls on nodes 5, 8, and 11. Advanced fiber information system (AFIS) testing determined the fiber quality of single boll samples. Lint weight in both locations continued to increase despite the cool temperatures. At New Deal, upper quartile length, length, SFC, SCN, fineness, and maturity all saw significant improvements from before to after the cold front. This indicates that the bolls continued developing after exposure to cool temperatures on the THP.