Chemical Topping with Mepiquat Chloride at Flowering Does Not Compromise the Maturity or Yield of Cotton

The balance between vegetative and reproductive growth is the central objective in cotton production system, which associated with maturity yield. In China, manual topping (MT) has been performed many years prior to or during flowering period inhibit enhance growth. MT gradually being replaced by chemical (CT) mepiquat chloride (MC, 180 g ha−1, 98% soluble powder) due labor shortages increasing cost. To determine whether CT influences yield relative MT, we carried out field experiments at four locations Yellow River Valley of China 2018–2020. results showed that did not alter boll age, although it produced taller slender spatial distribution under several environments, had little effect on accumulation fraction (the number bolls a given divided total number) over time end blooming across locations. As result, there were no significant differences opening percentage late season. influence components, except severe drought. Therefore, MC (180 g/ha, will compromise China. Similar outcomes would be achieved other areas similar ecological conditions social require an alternative extensive labor.