Irrigation Frequency and Cotton Yield in Short-Season Cotton Systems

We tested the hypothesis that small frequent irrigations during the July cotton peak fruiting stage would result in better fruiting and higher cotton yields than the same amount of water applied less frequently. Over three years under a short - season production system, irrigation intervals of every 5-d with 42 mm of water applied at each irrigation increased cotton lint yield by 5-11 % compared to irrigation intervals of 10- and 15-d with 80 and 130 mm of water applied at each irrigation, respectively. The results show that small, frequent furrow irrigations during cotton fruiting are highly effective in reducing water deficit during critical growth stages and improved lint production in a short - season cultural system. Soil salt content in the top 15 cm of soil was not increased after three years of study.