Phenology, Thermal Integral and Agronomic Yield of Cotton (Gossypium arboreum L) at a Function of Date of Planting in Dry Weather

Abstract

The aim of this study was to know the effect of planting date (early and late) on the phenology and thermal integral of an accession of Gossypium arboreum L. to evaluate fiber and seed yields and harvest index. Design randomized complete block with four replications (4x3) = 12 experimental units was used. The experiment was carried out at the Universidad de la Cañada in Teotitlán de Flores Magón, Oaxaca, Mexico, from May to October 2012. The experiment was conducted in the field, fertilizing the soil and with a topological arrangement (0.30 x 0.30 x 1.0). Both seed and fiber yields were determined gravimetrically, and harvest index by the ratio between the agronomic yield and the biological yield. The results indicate that the highest seed yield, fiber and seed harvest index, was achieved in early planting dates and crop phenology was not altered by treatment effect. From this study it could be concluded that the cotton might be an option to plant under the conditions of the tropical dry forest of Oaxaca.