Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is the lead cash crop in Texas, and its productivity is often challenged by stressful environmental conditions such as high temperatures and sub-optimal water supply. The objective of this investigation was to assess the impact of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) applications triggered by canopy temperature and forecasted ambient temperatures on field-grown cotton plants. Physiological responses to 1-MCP applications were investigated in field studies conducted during the summers of 2012-2014 at the Texas A&M University Field Laboratory in Burleson County, TX. During all three growing seasons, more than 65% of the days reached temperatures above 28 °C, which indicated great potential for high temperature stress. Daily plant canopy temperature, net photosynthesis, transpiration, and photosystem II quantum yield were affected by 1-MCP treatment when plants were irrigated, but not under dryland conditions. Positive effects of 1-MCP were found for fruit retention in 2013 and 2014, for both irrigated and dryland studies, although a negative impact was found in the 2012 irrigated study. Applications of 1-MCP affected physiological characteristics; however, it did not affect crop yield.
