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Exploring the Limitations for Cotton Growth and Yield

Abstract Most crops do not achieve their genetic potential, even under the best crop husbandry, because of environmental constraints. Improvements in crop adaptation to environmental stresses can be better assessed if the maximum potential is known. Here, we report the results from cotton plants grown in naturally lit growth chambers in which temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] were controlled and varied systematically under optimum water and nutrient conditions. Photosynthesis of cotton canopies was measured continuously along with other related vegetative growth parameters and abiotic variables. Cotton canopies growing under potential growth conditions intercept most of the radiation available in the US Midsouth after beginning flowering and are not light-saturated. Present-day cotton cropping practices schedule the maximum crop demand for photosynthates to occur during declining solar radiation. Growing plants in high CO2 results in augmented vegetative growth during fruiting that enhances photosynthesis. Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations should also benefit growth and yield. Temperature has only a small effect on canopy photosynthesis. Temperature, however, strongly influences vegetative growth and development, light capture during the vegetative period, and light conversion efficiency during much of the boll-filling period. Temperatures above 28°C limit both vegetative growth and more importantly boll retention or sink capacity. To achieve maximum production, it will be necessary to increase fruit production efficiency and light conversion efficiency. The former is more important than the latter in high-temperature environments. Cotton crops are capable of much higher productivity than typically observed even under the best management conditions.