Modeling Cotton Growth and Yield Using the Cotton2K Model

The cotton2K model is a process-based cotton simulation model developed by A. Marani (Marani, 2000). This is a modified version of the GOSSYM-COMAX model intended for simulating cotton growth and production for arid and semi-arid conditions. The model simulates the interaction between processes occurring in the plant, soil, and the microenvironment and the management inputs applied to the field. Most procedures in the model are computed on a daily time-step, however some processes such as the effects of temperature on growth rates and phenology are simulated at an hourly time-step.  The stresses associated with carbon, water, and nutrients also have a strong effect on all simulated rates of growth and development. This study investigated cotton growth and lint yield responses to various irrigation management using the Cotton2K model.