Effect of Cotton Transplanting on Its Yield and Water Use Efficiency

Water resources are limited in most parts of the country, including Isfahan,where cotton is cultivated but it’s planting time coincides with the sensitive stage of cereal grain growth. Therefore, developing and adopting techniques that could maximize use of the existing resources is needed. To study the effect of basin and furrow irrigation methods on yield and some yield components of cotton as well as the impact of the transplanting, this experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Rodasht agricultural research station for two years (2003 and 2004). The variables studied included basin and farrow irrigation methods and four planting dates (transplanting). The irrigation method affected the10-boll weight, water use efficiency, and water consumption. Also, the results showed that planting date affected water consumption, yield, water use efficiency, boll number per plant, and 10-boll weight. In general, the furrow irrigation method, compared with basin irrigation method, used about 11 percent less water. Finally, if for any reason cotton could not be planted on proper time, the crop can be seeded in the nursery and its seedling transplanted in the main field after 20 days.