Statistical Study: Nature Relationship between Climatic Variables Prevailing Prior to Flowering or Subsequent to Boll Setting and Cotton Production

Abstract

This study investigates the statistical relationship between climatic variables and aspects of cotton production ( G . barbadense ), and the effects of climatic factors prevailing prior to flowering or subsequent to boll setting on flower and boll production and retention in cotton. The effects of specific climatic factors during both pre- and post-anthesis periods on boll production and retention are mostly unknown. Thus, an understanding of these relationships may help physiologists to determine control mechanisms of production in cotton plants. Evaporation, sunshine duration, relative humidity, surface soil temperature at 1800 h, and maximum air temperature, are the important climatic factors that significantly affect flower and boll production. The least important variables were found to be surface soil temperature at 0600 h and minimum temperature. There was a negative correlation between flower and boll production and either evaporation or sunshine duration, while that correlation with minimum relative humidity was positive. Higher minimum relative humidity, short period of sunshine duration, and low temperatures enhanced flower and boll formation.