Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Researcher, Research and Education Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources of Sistan
2
Assistant Professor at the Research and Education Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Sistan-Zabol.
3
Faculty member, the Cotton Research Institute
10.22092/ijcr.2024.363927.1206
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cotton is a vital industrial crop worldwide, recognized as a strategic commodity in many countries and particularly well-suited for cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions. Its significance stems from its potential to generate employment, its diverse applications—including fiber production, animal feed, and vegetable oil—and its compatibility with sustainable agricultural practices compared to other crops, such as corn.
Materials and Methods: To evaluate key traits and identify the most suitable cotton cultivars for the Sistan region, a study was conducted involving 14 cotton cultivars. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design with three replications, carried out at the Zahak Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Station over two crop years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023).
Results: Analysis of the composite data revealed significant differences in several traits. Traits such as earliness, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, yield from the third row, and yield per hectare showed significant differences at the 1% probability level. Additionally, the number of sympodial branches, yield from the first row, and yield from the second row were significant at the 5% probability level. The cultivars exhibited distinct characteristics, with Latif (6,932 kg/ha), Khordad (6,880 kg/ha), Golestan (6,766 kg/ha), Khorshid (6,664 kg/ha), and Sepid (6,394 kg/ha) demonstrating the highest yields per hectare. In contrast, the Armaghan variety yielded the lowest at 3,408 kg/ha. Among the cultivars, Khorshid and Khordad had the shortest growth periods, while the white cultivars had the longest growth and ripening times.
Conclusion: The Latif and Golestan cultivars showed more stable production compared to others, particularly under changing climate conditions in the second year of cultivation. Considering the impacts of climate change and environmental challenges such as increasing water and soil salinity, these cultivars offer better production sustainability. Additionally, Khorshid and Khordad cultivars, with their earlier maturation, are well-suited to the Sistan region's climatic conditions, including its 120-day winds. These cultivars not only have shorter growth periods but also rank among the highest in yield.
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