Abstract:

Accurate prediction of fiber quality formation is highly important for successful cotton growth simulation and management decision. Experiments were conducted in natural environment to quantitatively describe the relation between the dynamic process of fiber quality formation and conditions of water supply and growth temperature in Nanjing (32°03′N，118°47′E), Anyang（36°7′N, 116°22′E）, Baoding (39°05′N, 115°47′E) and Shihezi (44°26′N，86°01′E) in 2002 and in Shihezi only in 1997，2003. A simulation model for predicting fiber elongation, strength and cellulose content accumulation was developed based on days after anthesis (DAA) and boll physiological development time (BPDT). The effects of soil water content, daily mean temperature (DMT) and daily temperature difference (DTD) were taken into account, along with genetic parameters for different cultivars in the model. The model was validated using the experiment data sets under different conditions of DTD, DMT, and soil water status at different eco-sites. The root mean square errors (RMSEs) between the simulated and observed values of fiber length, fiber strength and cellulose content are 1.15 mm, 1.03 cN·tex^-1 and 4.37%, respectively, indicating that the model is accurate and applicable under different conditions.

Key words: Cotton, Fiber quality, Simulation model