Evaluation of Growth and Boll Distribution of Modern Cotton Varieties in Georgia

Prior to 2010, approximately 85 percent of Georgia's cotton acreage was comprised of a single variety, DP 555 BR.  As a result of the removal of this variety from the market, Georgia cotton growers have since been planting a number of varieties that vastly differ in growth, maturity, management requirements, response to environmental conditions, and yield.  Due to the rapid turnover of modern cotton varieties, evaluation of the aforementioned parameters is necessary in order to provide growers with accurate and timely information regardinng how new varieties need to be positioned into appropriate environments and subsequently managed.  The objective of this research was to evaluate growth and boll distribution characteristics of several varieties planted in the UGA On-Farm Cotton Variety Evaluation Program in both irrigated and dryland environments.