Location: Plant Physiology and Genetics Research
Project Number: 2020-21000-014-020-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2026
End Date: Nov 1, 2027
Objective:
The overall goal of the project is to phenotype cotton and identify genotypes that differ in their response to reduced soil moisture.
Approach:
The Cooperator and ARS PI will collaborate on research activities to characterize cotton reproductive responses in cotton genotypes grown under varying irrigation treatments at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. A field trial will be conducted using four irrigation regimes—100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of the recommended weekly irrigation—applied to 10 commercial varieties based on an established irrigation model. Additionally, a panel of 140 cotton landraces and wild accessions is being cultivated for inclusion in larger-scale trials. All trials will be harvested to quantify lint and seed yields. Correlative analyses will be conducted to link reproductive traits with yield outcomes, helping to pinpoint traits associated with cotton productivity.