Effects of Irrigation on Cotton Genotypes in the Arid Environment of Dera Ismail Khan

Drought stress is a major ecological factor that negatively impacts cotton yield and quality. In this scenario, drought-tolerant cotton cultivars with zero tillage could be the best option. A field experiment was conducted in 2017 at Cotton Research Station, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan to evaluate the effects of four irrigation intervals on yield and fiber characteristics of three cotton genotypes. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements replicated thrice. Four irrigation intervals (i.e. 10 days interval, 15 days interval, 20 days interval and 25 days interval ) were allotted to main plots while cotton genotypes (MNH-886, CRIS-342, and CRIS-134) were assigned to subplots having 10 m×3 m. Results showed that cotton yield and fiber characteristics had significant response to irrigation intervals and genotypes. Main effects revealed that 10 days irrigation interval produced higher sympodial branches and plant height as compared to other irrigation intervals. Higher bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton, ginning outturn (GOT %), lint index, fiber length, fiber strength, and micronaire were achieved from irrigation interval of 25 days. Interaction effects revealed that variety CRIS-134 with 25 days irrigation interval produced greater bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton, ginning outturn (GOT %), lint index, fiber length, fiber strength, and micronaire compared to all other combinations. Thus it was concluded that the genotype CRIS-134 with 25 days irrigation interval is more advantageous, adaptable and had the potential to optimize cotton yield and quality in agro-ecological conditions of Dera Ismail Khan