Effects of Climatic Factors Prevailing Prior to Flowering or Subsequent to Boll Setting on Flower and Boll Production and Retention of Cotton in Egypt

This study was conducted to investigate the nature of the effects of climatic factors prevailing prior to flowering or subsequent to boll setting on flower and boll production and retention in Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.). Two uniform field trials, using the cotton cv. Giza 75, were carried out in 1992 and 1993 at the Agricultural Research Centre, Giza, Egypt. Randomly chosen plants were used to record daily numbers of flowers and bolls during the production stage (68 days in the first season and 62 days in the second season). The daily records of the climatic factors (air temperature, temperature magnitude, evaporation, surface soil temperature, sunshine duration and humidity) were recorded during the entire period of production and the 15 days preceding or succeeding flower opening. The effects of climatic factors on flower and boll production were quantified in non‐limiting management techniques. Relationships in the form of simple and multiple correlations were computed between climatic factors and flower and boll production and retention. The data indicate that evaporation, minimum humidity and sunshine duration were the most effective climatic factors during preceding and succeeding periods on fruit production and retention. The relationship between climatic factors preceding flowering and cotton production generally exceeded the relationship between the factors during the entire and latter periods of production stage. The result was a negative correlation between either evaporation or sunshine duration with flower and boll formation. In addition, a positive correlation was evident between minimum humidity and flower and boll production. The data indicate that low evaporation rate, reduced sunshine duration and high humidity would enhance flower and boll formation. Accordingly, the deleterious effects of climatic factors on cotton production could be minimized through applying appropriate production practices, which would control and adjust the impact of these factors, and this could lead to an important improvement in cotton yield in Egypt.