Comparison of Lysimetric Whole-Plant Water Use Among Cotton Genotypes

The whole-plant water use of sixteen upland cotton genotypes were monitored continously from first bloom stage to maturity. Two water regimes (well-watered and water-stressed) were imposed in two contiguous greenhouses modified to function as rain shelters at the first bloom stage and maintained until maturity. Whole-plant water use was measured by lysimetry on an hourly basis with individual pots suspended from electronic loadcells. Data was collected automatically with a computerized system. The daily progression of whole-plant water use from first bloom stage to maturity was compared among the genotypes.