Impact of irrigation intermissions throughout different development stages on cotton (Gossypium barbadence L.) yield and fiber trait sin semi- arid region of Sudan

Abstract

A field experiments were conducted for two consecutive seasons (2006/2007 and 2007/2008) in 
Demonstrated Farm, Sudan University of Science and Technology, to study the effect of irrigation 
intervals at different growth stages on growth, yield component and fiber characteristics of cotton 
(Gossypium barbadence L.). The experiment was lied out in a complete plots design with four 
replications. The treatments were standard irrigation every two weeks (W1), extended irrigation intervals 
of one month during predetermined stages of cotton (W2), the stages were early vegetative growth (W3), 
early flowering (W4), and early boll ripening (W5). The results revealed that plant height, seed index and 
lint index were not affected by irrigation intervals. Plant height had significant difference in first season 
only. Seed yield had significant differences in second picking of both seasons, and first picking of 
second season. Lint yield showed significant differences in all three picking of first season and first 
picking of second season. In general irrigation interval every 15 days throughout growth (W1) had the 
greatest values. On the other hand W4 (30 days interval at early flowering) and W 5 (30 days interval at 
early boll ripening) showed the lowest values. Meanwhile, fiber characteristics had no clear evidence 
due to irrigation intervals.