Effects of plastic mulch and different sowing dates on the earliness yield and span technological characteristic in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties

This research has been conducted at the Cukurova University Cotton Research and Application Centre in 2006 to determine the effects of plastic mulch and planting times on the agricultural and technological properties of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) SG 125, PAUM 15 and PAUM 23 were used as plant material.From the study it was determined that seed cotton yield was increased with plastic mulch applications. Early plantings with plastic mulch also increased the yield and resulted in approximately 20-30 days earliness. Number of bolls per plant and ginning yield were also increased.While the height of plant, height of the first sympodial branch, boll weight, and number of bolls per plant, seed cotton weight per boll, earliness, ginning yield, length, thickness, elasticity and color of the fibers of the investigated cotton varieties showed important differences. 100 seed weight was not significantly changed.Key Words: Cotton, plactic mulch, earliness, yield