Physiological analysis of yielding ability in Hirsutum cotton I. Boll distribution pattern in relation to dry matter production and yielding ability

Nine hirsutum cotton varieties were grown in a randomised block design at main research farm IARI to study their distribution pattern of fruiting points in relation to dry matter accumulation and yielding ability. The production of bolls in cotton is controlled by the number of fruiting points produced, which are dependent upon the total dry matter produced by the plant. Both square and boll shedding reduces the boll number harvested. The shedding of squares and bolls in different varieties associated negatively. Early setting of bolls at lower node positions resulted in decreased total dry matter production-Improvement in seed cotton yield can be achieved with varieties having high total dry matter, low shedding of squares and bolls and early setting of bolls at lower node positions.