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Evaluation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield gap in Behshahr county using boundary line analysis
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Masoumeh Mahdavi Abdolmaleki    , Afshin Soltani , Ebrahim Zeinali , Safoora Jafar nodeh |
| Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran |
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Abstract: (39 Views) |
Introduction: Yield gap, defined as the difference between potential and actual yield, is a major challenge in crop production. Identifying the limiting factors of yield gap is the first step toward increasing productivity without expanding cultivated lands. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a strategic crop in Iran, and Behshahr county is a major production hub in Mazandaran province. Despite its importance, no comprehensive study has been conducted to determine the local yield limiting factors in this region. This study aimed to identify managerial factors affecting the cotton yield gap in Behshahr county using Boundary Line Analysis (BLA) and to provide optimal management recommendations.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons in 88 cotton fields in the Miankaleh region, Behshahr, Iran. Management data were collected through face-to-face interviews with farmers and field monitoring. Recorded variables included sowing date, plant density, nitrogen fertilizer rate and application frequency, irrigation frequency, pest and weed management, crop rotation, and harvesting method. The actual yield was recorded at the end of the season. The Boundary Line Analysis (BLA) method was used to quantify the yield gap and determine the attainable yield. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4 and Excel 2016 software.
Results: The average actual yield of farmers was 2124 kg.ha-1, while the attainable yield estimated by BLA was 3961 kg.ha-1. Consequently, the calculated yield gap was 1837 kg.ha-1 (45.4%). The analysis identified weed infestation (53% gap contribution) and the number of harvest pickings (51%) as the most significant limiting factors. Other contributing factors included planting date, crop rotation, and irrigation frequency (each contributing ~48%). The optimal ranges for maximizing yield were determined as: plant density of 7-11 plants.m-2, sowing date between May 18 and June 10, nitrogen application of 90 kg.ha-1 (pure N), at least two irrigations, and five pesticide applications.
Conclusion: The study revealed that farmers in Behshahr county are achieving only about 54% of the cotton attainable yield. A significant portion of this gap is due to suboptimal crop management practices. Improving weed control strategies, adopting mechanized harvesting (or increasing hand-picking frequency), observing the optimal sowing window, and including legume crops in crop rotation are the most effective strategies to narrow the cotton yield gap in this region.
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| Keywords: Cotton, Crop rotation, Sowing date, Plant density and Weeds |
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Full-Text [PDF 630 kb]
(22 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Scientific & Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/01/13 | Accepted: 2026/08/14 | Published: 2025/12/1
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