Effects of Moderate Water Stress on Four Commercial Cultivars

Water deficit is a major limitation for cotton yield in drought-prone Texas croplands. Cultivars that use water more efficiently can significantly impact yield and the sustainability and stability of crops grown under water-limited environments. This paper describes a study designed to characterize the effects of moderate water stress (imposed by deficit irrigation) on the water economy, growth and yield of four commercial cotton cultivars grown in the Drought Tolerance Laboratory at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Corpus Christi. Results indicated that cultivars DP912 and PHY499 showed better yield performance and higher water use efficiency under water deficits.