Contabescent anthers and poor boll development in cotton in the Ord River valley

Abstract

Widespread occurrence in cotton of 'parrot beaked' bolls, with one or more locule empty of seed, was shown to be related to periods when anthesis takes place under conditions of high temperature and water stress. Marked sowing date effects were recorded ; cotton sown in March and April having significantly lower percentage of parrot beaked bolls than cotton sown in December. Significant varietal differences in amount of the phenomenon were also recorded. The relationship between anther contabescence, and subsequent development of the parrot beaked condition, was clearly shown, and the effects of parrot beaked bolls on yield is discussed. Limited tests of lint quality showed no difference between lint from normal and parrot beaked bolls.