High Yielding Short Season Cotton Production in Arizona

Growers in Arizona have historically produced the highest yields in the Cotton Belt, averaging between 2.0 2.5 bales per acre. The key to high production in the desert Southwest has been irrigation, coupled with an extraordinarily long growing season. To take advantage of the 3,800 heat units available for cotton production, growers have cultured cotton under a two fruit -set regime. Cotton planted in late March to early April will approach peak bloom in early July, cut out in mid -August and resume new bloom production early September. Two fruit -set cotton will typically require 240 to 270 days to mature out the top crop (Fig. 1).