AbstractAn experiment was carried out to study the effect of reduced growth on the photosynthetic rate of leaves in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). It was planned to reduce growth by the continuous removal of axillary buds.The results show that debudding did not reduce the growth of plants but only altered the distribution pattern of assimilates. The shoot weight of the control and debudded plants was not significantly different. However, debudding prevented reproductive development in the debudded plants. Comparison of the photosynthetic rates of the control and debudded plants indicate that reproductive development did not affect the photosynthesis of young fully expanded leaves but slightly increased the rate of decline in photosynthesis during their ageing.