These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution

Cotton Home

Have a question? Try asking one of our Experts

How do you determine when a cotton boll is physiologically mature?

Last Updated: November 29, 2007

View as web page


Generally when a cotton boll reaches maturity it will begin to change to a darker green color with also some red coloration. These mature bolls will be hard to cut in cross-section with a knife. Once cut in cross-section the cotton seed will be visible. Mature bolls will have brown to black seed coats with the cotyledons (or seed leaves) fully developed.

Browse related Faqs by tag: cotton, cotton industry


Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts

Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.