Cotton is the most important cash crops in Mali. It is a major catalyst of economic development in rural areas.

Cotton is produced under rainfall conditions and is subjected to fluctuating rainfall variability, drought, high temperature, moisture, soil poverty in nutrients combined with the lack of innovative technologies, and seed cotton yield price volatility. In Mali cotton is planted during growing season so planting date depends on the beginning of rainfall. In this study, the data from thirty four trials conducted in two vast cotton-producing zones (Southern and central northern) of Mali during two rainy seasons. Data were collected and analyzed to determine the effect of planting date on yield, yield components and particular fiber properties of four promising cotton genotypes. Five planting decades were identified (planting occurred in 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd decade of June and 1^st, 2^nd decade of July) in each year. Results indicated that only seed cotton yield, lint percentage, fiber length, fiber fineness and fiber whiteness were significantly affected by planting dates. On the other hand, planting date did not affect significantly the seed index and fiber quality traits such as yellowness. All four genotypes: BRS 293, NTA L65, NTA B149 and NTA E154 used in the experiment produced suitable seed cotton yield and yield attributes and acceptable lint propriety for early sowing. For delaying sowing, the variety BRS 293 was better and is suitable in Malian cotton producing area regardless of the planting date.