Irrigation of cotton cultivars improves seed cotton yield, yield components and fibre properties in the Hatay region, Turkey

Water stress limits cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth and development. Physiological and morphological differences among cultivars influence the impact of water stress on yield and fibre quality. This response is important for selecting the best cultivars for irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of water stress on six cotton cultivars under irrigated and non- irrigated conditions on a clay soil in Hatay, the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey during the 2001 and 2002 cotton growing seasons. Seed cotton yield and the other yield related traits varied significantly among cultivars under non-irrigated conditions. Mid-early (Stoneville 453 and Deltapine 5690) and mid-late (Maras 92 and GW Teks) cultivars were more affected by water stress than early cultivars (Deltapine 20 and Nazilli 143). Growing cotton under non-irrigated conditions resulted in the production of shorter and weaker fibre with reduced micronaire. The fibre properties of cultivars were inconsistently affected by non-irrigated and irrigated conditions throughout two years, indicating variability inherent in cotton fibre.