Cotton crop in changing climate

Abstract

Cotton is a major cash crop of global significance. It has a peculiar and inherent growth pattern with coinciding physiological growth stages. This study is based upon modelling and simulation for Hisar region. Stage-wise water stress has been quantified for three Bt-cotton cultivars with three sowing dates under both irrigated and non-irrigated (rainfed) conditions to assess the most sensitive stage. As per model output, it was observed that, at some stages stress value during excess years remains below 0.3 which is characterized as mild stress, in contrast with drought years where it is above 0.3, impacting potential crop productivity. Thus, rainfall impacts the productivity of cotton even in irrigated semi-arid region. Irrigation measures practiced, could partially alleviate influence of stress. Also, early sowing is found beneficial. The most water-sensitive period is ball formation and maturity stage followed by flowering stage.