Timing of Episodic Drought on West Texas Cotton Cultivars.

Recent prolonged periods of drought in West Texas have increased the necessity to lower the dependence on the Ogallala Aquifer for cotton production. In cotton production, extended periods of water deficit affects cotton plant growth rate, maturity, boll distribution, and fiber quality. However, extensive research on short term water paucity has not been heavily executed and studied. Episodic drought is a water deficit that only occurs over part of the growing season. Short-term water stress may occur in many cases such as a period of atypical dry weather, irrigation system breakdowns or hindrances, or the necessity to divert water to another crop at a critical growth stage. Furthermore, many factors may affect a crop’s sensitivity to episodic drought including genotype and crop age. Increased knowledge of deficit irrigation and episodic drought effects may help to increase the sustainability of the Ogallala aquifer and help improve irrigation management practices. Cotton producers may be able to decrease dependency on irrigation and have better water management strategies.