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Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of simulated hail and wildlife damage on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in 2023 and 2024 at R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center, Starkville, MS on a Leeper silty clay loam and the Pee Dee Research & Education Center, Florence, SC. Plots were arranged in a factorial arrangement of treatments with three levels. Treatments included damage type (node removal and foliage removal), intensity, and growth stage. Cotton growth and development, lint yield, and fiber quality were evaluated. All data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS v9.4. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated using Fisher’s protected LSD at the 0.05 level of significance. Foliage removal ≥ 75% resulted in a decrease in lint yield when data were pooled. Node removal ≥ 50% at 8 and 12 nodes resulted in lower lint yield. For both node and foliage removal, cotton lint yield declined as the level of loss and growth stage increased. Data generated from this study will help assess the damage caused by extreme weather events and/or wildlife damage to cotton.
