Evaluation of Water Use Efficiency, Yield Stability and Fiber Quality In Upland Cotton Cultivars

Cotton (Gossypium hirsitum L.) is a very valuable crop in the Texas High Plains. Not only is it a staple of the region as far as revenue goes, but it is a way of life. As with all crops Cotton presents many challenges to its many growers. Unlike most other economically important crops produced in the United States, it is a perennial crop. Being perennial by nature the plant continues to produce fruiting structures late into the growing season. These late fruiting structures lead to a low fiber quality, and eventually a lower bottom line for the farmer. A constant challenge for cotton producers is to grow and maintain a perennial plant as an annual. There has been much research on how to maximize yields and profits for producers. There are many crucial factors that play a role in the life of the cotton plant from seedling to a mature harvestable plant. These factors include varietal selection, water, fertilizers, and chemicals (such as harvest aids), as well as others. This project is designed to aid producers in the decision of which variety and watering scheme works best for them across their farm. Also to take those varieties and see which ones produce the highest yield at different watering rates. Another objective is to test fiber quality. This will be done utilizing the Fiber Biopolymer Research Institute (FBRI).  Then fiber quality data will be used to collaborate with yield data to find the optimal variety. This will be done at all watering levels. These results will be taken and placed into an economical production function. The outputs from the production function will be utilized to find the optimal watering level for the optimal variety. The goal is to find the most efficient way of producing a highly desirable yield for producers.