Early research on irrigation frequency and its effect on cotton lint yield was often shaped by associated physical effects and constraints. Research into ultra-frequent (frequency measured in days rather then weeks) irrigation was not warranted because the producers themselves could not physically do this (the minimum amount applied by flood was at least several inches--forcing the return interval to be at least about a week) nor were such schemes cost effective anyway due to the associated high labor cost (both for flood and side-roll), and, specifically for flood, the associated management inefficiencies involved when runs had to be shortened to accommodate the small irrigation application amounts. The introduction of the center pivot, but more importantly, the advent of drip irrigation changed this.

When the irrigation interval becomes too long, the yield is not only impacted by virtue of frequency, but through water quantity-yield interactions.

For a set amount of water, it appears that yields are greater when the interval is shorter. Cumulative literature seems to support a reduction of about 2% from maximum yield for each day increment in irrigation interval for drip-type systems. Regular irrigation methods show a decline, at a rate of about 1.5%, but there is some evidence to support that this might not start until the interval is in excess of 7 to 10 days.