Observations on the architecture and shedding of upland cotton selected for drought tolerance

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize the line CNPA 78 SME₄ of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. r. latifolium Hutch.) which originated from a mass selection of the cultivar Acala del Cerro - in regard to its reproductive structure, plant architecture and shedding. The experiment was conducted under field conditions at Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil. Observations were made from the time of plant emergence to harvest and records were taken on the vegetative and reproductive organs as well as the shedding of squares, flowers and young bolls. it was established that all the fruiting forms of the fruiting branches was correlated to total plant yield was 86.7% while that on the vegetative branches was 12.5%. The shedding of squares occurred until the twelveth day after initiation and was higher on the vegetative branches than on the fruiting branches. It was also observed that shedding occurred until the thirteenth day after flower pollination. The shedding of young bolls, which was related to the number of flowers, was similar on fruiting and vegetative branches being 57% on the former and 62% on the latter.