In order to develop a better understanding of some yield components, the response of three modern cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars to increasing nitrogen (N) fertiliser application was assessed for lint percentage (LP) and seed weight, as well as seed protein and oil concentrations. Application of N fertiliser led to decreased LP in all three cultivars (by 1.5 percentage points), even if the N-fertiliser rate was above the optimum rate. There was a strong negative correlation between LP and seed mass because seed mass is a component of LP. Seed protein concentration increased, and seed oil concentration decreased, with increasing N fertiliser application. Seed germination was improved in seeds with higher oil concentration; therefore, seed produced with high N fertiliser had reduced seed vigour. It was concluded that little scope exists for further lint-yield increase via LP. For cultivars with small seeds, an integrated system across seed production and crop agronomy can achieve satisfactory seed vigour in the field while also achieving high commercial yields. Future improvements in yield will come from alternative and more complex yield components such as growth habit.

为了更好地理解某些产量构成要素，对三种现代棉花（棉（Gossypium hirsutum）对增加氮肥施用的L.）品种的皮棉百分比（LP）和种子重量以及种子蛋白质和油浓度进行了评估。即使氮肥施用量高于最佳施用量，施用氮肥也会导致所有三个品种的LP下降（降低1.5个百分点）。LP与种子质量之间存在很强的负相关性，因为种子质量是LP的组成部分。随着氮肥用量的增加，种子蛋白质浓度增加，种子油浓度减少。含油量较高的种子发芽得到改善；因此，用高氮肥生产的种子降低了种子活力。结论是通过LP进一步增加皮棉产量的空间很小。对于有小种子的品种，跨种子生产和农艺学的集成系统可以在田间获得令人满意的种子活力，同时还可以实现很高的商业产量。未来产量的提高将来自替代和更复杂的产量组成部分，例如生长习惯。