Intraspecific Competition in a Cotton Field (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and its Impact on Cotton Fiber Quality in Côte d'Ivoire

Background: In Côte d'Ivoire, cotton growing is crucial to the economy of the savannah region, accounting for 1.7% of national GDP and 7% of exports. However, yields remain insufficient due to various factors such as climate change and non-compliance with good agricultural practices.

Objectives: The general objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sowing densities on the technological characteristics of cotton fibre.

Methodology: The experiment was conducted at the Station de Recherche sur le Coton in Bouaké and at the observation posts (OP) of the cotton companies (Ivoire Coton and SECO). Nine levels were studied in this factor, numbered T1 to T9. The agronomic observations covered the estimation of seed cotton yield, determination of the Seed Index, seed health, seed germination level and fat extraction and determination of oil content. The data collected from the quality tests on cotton fibre and seed were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) using R.4.0.1 software.

Results: The density applied at T6 (111,111 plants per hectare) improved yield compared with the other densities. In terms of seed germinability, seeds from the T6 treatment had the best germination rate (78.67%). The highest oil content was found in treatments T3 (16.17%) and T6 (16.28%), with good Seed Index and healthy seed rates. The final oleic acid content ranged from 6.3 to 11.29%.