Response of flower and boll development to climatic factors in Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense)

Fruiting of cotton plant is determined and influenced by cultivars, climatic conditions, management practices and pests. An understanding of the flowering and boll retention patterns of cotton cultivars can contribute to more efficient and economical crop management. The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of various climatic factors on flower and boll production, and also, the nature of its effects prevailing prior and subsequent to either flowering or boll setting on flower and boll production and retention in Egyptian cotton. This could be used in formulating advanced prediction of the effect of certain climatic conditions on the production of Egyptian cotton. Also, the study focused on four equal periods during the development of flower and bolls stage to study the response of these characters to climatic factors during these periods and to determine the most representative period corresponding to the overall crop pattern. Further, the study predicting effects of climatic factors during convenient intervals (in days) on cotton flower and boll production compared with daily observations to find the optimum interval. Evaporation, sunshine duration, humidity, surface soil temperature at 1800 h, and maximum air temperature, are the important climatic factors that significantly affects flower and boll production. Evaporation; minimum humidity and sunshine duration were the most effective climatic factors during preceding and succeeding periods on boll production and retention. There was a negative correlation between flower and boll production and either evaporation or sunshine duration, while that correlation with minimum humidity was positive. The fourth quarter period of the production stage was the most appropriate and usable time to collect data for determining efficient prediction equations for cotton production. Evaporation, humidity and temperature were the principal climatic factors that governed cotton flower and boll production during the fourth quarter. The five day interval was found to be adequately and sensibly related to yield parameters than other intervals and was closest to the daily observations. Evaporation was found to be the most important climatic variable affecting flower and boll production, followed by humidity. An accurate weather forecast 5–7 days in advance would provide an opportunity to avoid adverse effects of climatic factors on cotton production through utilizing proper cultural practices which would limit and control their negative effects.