Effects of transplanting, sowing date and harvesting time on yield of Khordad cotton cultivar, in the subtropical climate of Orzouieh

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of transplanting and sowing date on the yield and some quantitative traits of cotton, Khordad cultivar, in Orzouieh- Kerman subtropical climate during 2017 and 2018. Experiments were conducted as the split-plot in time based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were included: A) Planting date in three levels:1- May 22, 2- June 10 and 3- July 1 as the main plot, B) Method of cultivation in three levels: 1- single transplant cultivation, 2- double transplant cultivation, and 3- seed cultivation as the subplot, C) harvest time in three levels: 1- first harvest (October 23) 2- second harvest (November 6) and 3- third harvest (November 21) as the sub-sub plot. Results showed that double transplant cultivation at the first planting date of May 21 compared to direct seed planting at this planting date improved quantitative traits including several bolls (49.4%), lint yield (78.6%), seed cotton yield (72%), fiber yield (107%), plant height (35.3%) and water use efficiency (89%) in the first harvest. The single transplant was the second rank. For the next two planting dates, the same results were observed. Results indicated that double transplant cultivation is better than direct seed cultivation at the late planting date in the Orzouieh zone.