ABSTRACT
Cotton is basically a perennial woody shrub that evolved in tropical, dry areas of the world, but is widely grown as herbaceous annual under both semiarid and humid conditions. Despite the adaptive changes, however, cotton still exhibits many attributes of its tropical origin. Growth regulator chemicals have been used in cotton production since the advent of mechanical harvesters; most of the research and usage has been concerned with harvest-aid programs. Plant growth regulator chemicals could become another tool in the cotton producer's reserve for ensuring efficient production. Research with plant growth regulators on cotton has increased significantly during the past decade, with the major emphasis being directed primarily to the areas of improved seed germination; early flower production and increased early fruit retention; improved quality and yield; control of excessive vegetative growth; early termination of reproductive and vegetative growth; and improved harvest-aid systems. With the exception of harvest-aid chemicals, the use of growth regulators in cotton culture is relatively new.
