The evaluation of the performance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under different environmental conditions has presented a difficult situation since arguments have persisted concerning the appropriate approach under which evaluations should occur. One argument insists that evaluations take place under irrigated or Ònon-stressedÓ conditions while another approach would be to evaluate the material under dryland or ÒstressedÓ conditions. Studies were conducted during the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons to investigate the performance of selected cotton genotypes under irrigated and dryland conditions. The objective was to evaluate the rankings of different phenotypic traits relative to the water application regime. Four experimental cotton lines 2 selected under irrigated conditions during development and 2 selected from dryland conditions during development; plus two commercial cultivars were grown under both irrigated and dryland to evaluate plant performance. There were significant differences in yield for all the entries for both growing seasons. However, there was a significant entry x water status interactions for the 2009 season but not for the 2010 season. These results indicate that the yield raking for each entry was similar for both the irrigated and dryland yields for 20120 but not for 2009. Rainfall amounts (more for 2010 and relatively less for 2009) may have contributed to the conflicting yield results between years. The implications of these findings in terms of potential screening protocols will be discussed.