Canopy Temperature Relationships with Cotton Growth and Fruiting

In-season growth and boll production are influenced by moisture deficit stress. The relationship between stress and boll production is robust; previous research has shown a high correlation between in-season stress accumulation and final yield in cotton throughout the cotton belt. In this presentation, we extend the concept of stress accumulation by examining the effects of stress accumulation on flowering period and the fraction of boll accumulation within a plant. We also examine the relationship between accumulated stress and the cessation of boll production within the plant over a variety of irrigation levels. The concept of stress thresholds can aid in in-season production decisions, potentially saving water and nutrients if the plant cannot recover, or allowing compensatory growth and additional yield in situations where recovery is likely.