Irrigation Termination for Improved Fiber Maturity on the Texas High Plains

The migration to later maturity varieties planted in the Texas High Plains along with a general change in management philosophy from low input to high input production could be two factors contributing to cotton fiber immaturity in this region. It is suggested that irrigation termination shortly after physiological cutout may result in, inhibition of further vegetative growth, abscission of young fruit in the terminal region that do not have sufficient time or resources to mature leading to improved fiber maturity, and diversion of additional resources to existing fruit also leading to improved fiber maturity.