The Effects of Branch Removal on Yield Parameters Across Differing Irrigation Regimes

A study was conducted at the Texas A&M Agrilife Research farm located near College Station, Texas, during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons. The overall purpose of this study was to examine the impact of branch removal on yield of cotton grown under differing irrigation regimes: irrigated and dryland. Irrigation regimes utilized solely for simulating different crop canopies. Branch removal occurred at three specific growth stages; first bloom, peak bloom, and first open boll and consisted of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 % branch removal, respectively, at each of the above specified growth stages. The impact of these treatments on yield and compensatory ability of cotton will be discussed.