TITLE:
Applied methods for studying the relationship between climatic factors and cotton production
AUTHORS:
Zakaria M. Sawan
KEYWORDS:
Cotton Flower and Boll Production; Boll Retention; Evaporation; Relative Humidity; Soil Moisture Status; Sunshine Duration; Temperature
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.4 No.11A,
November
29,
2013
ABSTRACT: This study investigates the statistical
relationship between climatic variables and aspects of cotton production (G.
barbadense), and the effects of climatic factors prevailing prior to flowering or subsequent to boll setting on flower and boll production and retention
in cotton. The effects of specific climatic factors during both pre-and
post-anthesis periods on boll production and retention are mostly unknown.
However, by determining the relationship of climatic factors with flower and
boll production and retention, the overall level of production can be possibly
predicted. Thus, an understanding of these relationships may help
physiologists determine control mechanisms of production in cotton plants.
Also, the study covers the predicted effects of climatic factors during
convenient intervals (in days) on cotton flower and boll production
compared with daily observations. Further, cotton flower and boll production
as affected by climatic factors and soil moisture status has been considered.
Evaporation, sunshine duration, relative humidity, surface soil temperature
at 1800 h, and maximum air temperature, are the important climatic factors
that significantly affect flower and boll production. The least important
variables were found to be surface soil temperature at 600 h and minimum
temperature. The five-day interval was found to be more adequately and sensibly
related to yield parameters. Evaporation, minimum humidity and sunshine
duration were the most effective climatic factors during preceding and succeeding periods on boll production and retention. There was a negative correlation
between flower number and boll production and either evaporation or sunshine
duration, while that correlation
with minimum relative
humidity was positive. The soil moisture status showed low and insignificant
correlation with flower and boll production. Higher minimum relative
humidity, short period of sunshine duration, and low temperatures enhanced
flower and boll formation.