Impact of Harvest Timeliness on Yield, Fiber Quality, and Net Return

Although defoliation usually prepares cotton for harvest within 2 to 2 ½ weeks, much of the cotton crop in Georgia is harvested many weeks after defoliation.  This may affect both yield and quality, which in turn affect the returns to the producer, as well as the reputation of the cotton crop.
We harvested plots at one-week intervals in October 2008, beginning two weeks after defoliant application, to determine the effects of various harvest timings on yield and quality.  1-m subplots in each plot were identified, and green bolls were tagged one week after defoliation.  Timing of boll opening of these green bolls was measured at weekly intervals to determine the yield gain due to boll opening at the top of the plant.  Lost lint was also measured at weekly intervals to determine lint loss by week after defoliation.  End of the season plant mapping and
yield and quality are currently being analyzed to determine the timing effects on yield and quality.  Economic analysis is also being conducted to determine the economic effects of these harvest timings, and we plan to report on the results.