The effects of drought stress on physiological properties of cotton (G. Hirsutum L.)

Abstract

As cotton is a product that is grown by irrigating during the summer and rainfall periods, global warming and the drought stress associated with it affect the cotton cultivation negatively. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different field capacity saturation degrees (FCSD) on some physiological properties of cotton cultivars. The study was carried out in Dicle University Faculty of Agriculture in the experimental area in 2014-2015 with 3 replications according to the split plot design. The experiment was arranged in a split- plots design with three replications. Main plots were different FCSD (100%, 80%, 60%, and 40%) and sub plots were cotton varieties (Stoneville-453, GW-Teks, and Deltaopal). Leaf temperature (^◦C), leaf stoma conductivity (mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) (leaf photosynthesis yield (µmol m⁻² s⁻¹), leaf SPAD value, canopy temperature (^◦C) and seed cotton yield (g.per plant^-1) properties were investigated in this study. Physiological adverse effects of cotton plant in limited irrigation conditions were determined. Although linear regression was determined between deficit irrigation conditions and leaf temperature, canopy temperature, leaf SPAD value, quadratic regression was detected between leaf stomatal conductivity, leaf photosynthesis yield and seed cotton yield