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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #307813
Title: Cotton physiological parameters affected by episodic irrigation interruption

Author
item SIMAO, FULVIO - Epamig
item RITCHIE, GLEN - Texas Tech University
item BEDNARZ, CRAIG - Texas Tech University

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/25/2013
Publication Date: 6/20/2013
Citation: Simao, F.R., Ritchie, G.L., Bednarz, C.W. 2013. Cotton physiological parameters affected by episodic irrigation interruption. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology A. 3(6):443-454.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Improving cotton irrigation management practices in West Texas is important for increasing farmers’ profits and for sustainability of the Ogallala aquifer. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects in field controlled episodic drought conditions on cotton gas exchange. Irrigated cotton was subjected to water stress at different timings. Irrigation was interrupted at the squaring stage, early flowering stage, from three weeks at peak bloom, and from peak bloom to the crop termination. These episodic drought treatments were compared with cotton fully irrigated throughout the whole season. From 2010 to 2012, cotton cultivar FM9180 gas exchange was measured throughout the season using a LiCor-6400 portable photosynthesis system. In 2011 and 2012, measurements were also made on DP0935 cultivar. The cotton physiological parameters evaluated included photosynthesis,transpiration and temperature. From the several parameters evaluated, some relationships were presented. Episodic drought periods can affect leaf-level gas exchange and impact yield. Photosynthesis and yield were particularly sensitive to water deficit at early flowering. Despite an increase in leaf water use efficiency under water deficit, overall growth and yield were inhibited in all treatments with a stress component. Understanding the relative sensitivity at different growth stages can help with irrigation decisions when water resources are limited.