Cotton Sensitivity to Water Stress
Planting and emergence - getting a stand.
Emergence to squaring - generally adequate water, little or no longterm effect.
Squaring to peak bloom- very sensitive
- Leaf age and function directly impacts boll load for cutout. Leaves developed that will “carry the boll load”.
- Stress can limit root development. Once flowering begins shoots favored over roots.
Peak bloom to 5 NAWF- less sensitive.
Cutout to 4 Nodes Above Cracked Boll -
- Smaller and smaller energy demand by bolls, stress required to avoid regrowth.