Abstract: The results showed that remaining vegetative branches had no effect on the dry matter accumulation and distribution of leaves and reproduction organs, but decreased the amount of dry matter accumulation of main stem. Earlier top shoot nipping of main stem could hasten the growth of main stem, but increase the total amount of dry matter accumulation. Analysis of yield components of cotton with vegetative branches, the number of bolls on main stem, average weight per boll were reduced. But the number of bolls on vegetative branches could make up for a lack of the bolls on main stem. So the number of bolls per hectare was increased and the yield of lint cotton was no less than that of cotton with traditional pruning. Earlier top shoot nipping of main stem could increase the number of bolls on vegetative branches and lint percent. But average weight per boll was reduced. There were no remarkable effects on the number of bolls and lint cotton per hectare.

Key words: Cotton, Vegetative branch, Accumulation and allocation of dry matter, Yield