Effects of Okra Leaf Shape on Boll Rot, Yield, and Other Important Characters of Upland Cotton, <i>Gossypium hirsutum</i> L.¹

Abstract

The effects of okra leaf shape on boll rot, yield, and other important characters of Upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.), were investigated at three locations in Louisiana and on three varietal backgrounds. Varieties responded in a similar manner to the leaf shape treatments for all characters studied, but the location ✕ leaf shape interaction was significant in some cases. The okra leaf shape character, as an average of varieties and locations, caused a significant reduction in the incidence of boll rot in comparison with normal leaf cotton. It was associated with a significant increase in yield, earliness, lint percentage and micronaire value, and a substantial increase in fruiting rate. Okra leaf shape had no effect on boll weight, fiber length, fiber length uniformity, or fiber strength, but caused a reduction in fiber elongation and total leaf area. A mixed population of okra leaf and normal leaf plants in a 1:1 ratio was investigated. The mixed population was found to have no advantage over the pure populations of the contrasting leaf shapes.