The effects of harvest period rainfall on fiber quality in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different rain application timings at harvest period on fiber quality properties of different cotton in 2021 at Çukurova University, Cotton Research and Application Center. Trial was arranged in a split-plot system in a randomized complete block with three replicates and rain application timings were maintained as main plots, while the cultivars were in the sub-plots. Applications of rain at 5 minutes negatively affected SCI, fiber length, fiber uniformity, short fiber content, fiber strength. Control that were not received rain applications treatments gave the best values for fiber elongation and fiber brightness. Although there were no significant differences among rain application treatments, better values for trash count and leaf grade and the worse value for seed coat nep were found in control treatments. Applications of rain at 5 minutes gave higher fiber nep count and more immature fibers, although their effects were not significant. No significant differences among cotton varieties were found in all the studied characteristics. In control treatments, fiber became more finer, Lima variety had more coarser fibers. In terms of rain applications, color grade values involved in more worse group when compared with the control treatment. Lima and Kaira varieties had more better color grade values.