The critical role of temperature in determining optimal planting schedule for cotton: A review

Temperature plays a critical role in cotton planting decisions, affecting seed germination, plant growth, and overall yields. Warm conditions support vigorous growth, while cooler weather slows development, raises risks of chilling injury, and increases biotic stress. Excessively high temperatures impair emergence and reduce seedling vigor, making it essential to identify favorable temperature ranges that promote healthy plant stands. Soil temperature is linked to air temperature and directly impacts seed placement and early development by shaping the seed zone’s thermal environment. Climate variability adds complexity by inconsistent weather patterns. Identifying optimal planting windows can help producers avoid cold snaps while ensuring sufficient heat accumulation. This involves understanding temperature fluctuations, soil moisture availability, and local weather patterns. Temperature-based tools, like heat units, assist in identifying suitable conditions for key developmental stages. Although focused on cotton, many temperature-related principles apply to other major field crops that rely on adequate warmth for uniform germination and development. For this review, from a total of 1603 publications obtained from three databases using 38 queries, 220 articles from 31 countries were selected based on their relevance to the main topic and the outcome significance. This narrative review examines the critical role of air and soil temperatures in determining optimal planting dates for cotton, highlighting temporal and spatial temperature variations, and considering future climate impacts on planting decisions. It synthesizes findings and practical guidelines to aid growers, researchers, and extension professionals in refining planting schedules. It also aims to offer a comprehensive and up-to-date discussion of temperature management strategies that can lead to better stand establishment and stable cotton yields across different production environments.