Influence of First Irrigation Time on Yield and Quality of Different Cotton Varieties

This study was carried out to determine the most suitable first time of irrigation depending on different flowering periods two standard cotton varieties (Nazilli 84 and Nazilli M-503). Field trials were conducted at Nazilli Cotton Research Institute in Meander Valley of Aegean Region in 1999- 2001. The first irrigation time were applied in four different flowering periods (after 10 days from squaring; beginning of flowering; 50% flowering; peak flowering). Seed cotton yield, fiber length, fiber strength and fiber fineness were measured. The differences among years were significant for all characteristics except fiber length. Seed cotton yield and fiber length had affected from first irrigation time. Genotypic differences were found to be significant for the investigated characteristics. Finally, early first irrigation time was recommended depending on sudden July temperatures.