Optimal Field Partitioning for Center‐Pivot‐Irrigated Cotton in the Texas High Plains

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the yield or profit from a cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) field can be increased by irrigating only a fraction of the field while keeping the rest as dryland when the irrigation water availability is suboptimal. The cotton growth simulation model Cotton2K was used to simulate the lint yield of cotton for different amounts of available irrigation water using historic weather data for the last 110 yr in the Texas High Plains. The data generated were used to evaluate different field partitioning strategies at four different amounts of total available irrigation water (150, 225, 300, and 375 mm). The results revealed that irrigating 30, 45, 55, and 70% of the field were the best strategies to maximize both the lint yield and profit under 150, 225, 300, and 375 mm of available irrigation water, respectively. The field partitioning strategies had a more pronounced impact on effective lint yield and profit when lower amounts of irrigation water were available and under low‐rainfall conditions.