Exogenous melatonin improves cotton yield under drought stress by enhancing root development and reducing root damage

The exogenous application of melatonin by the root drenching method is an effective way to improve crop drought resistance.However,the optimal concentration of melatonin by root drenching and the physiological mechanisms underlying melatonin-induced drought tolerance in cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)roots remain elusive.This study determined the optimal concentration of melatonin by root drenching and explored the protective effects of melatonin on cotton roots.The results showed that 50μmol L-1 melatonin was optimal and significantly mitigated the inhibitory effect of drought on cotton seedling growth.Exogenous melatonin promoted root development in drought-stressed cotton plants by remarkably increasing the root length,projected area,surface area,volume,diameter,and biomass.Melatonin also mitigated the drought-weakened photosynthetic capacity of cotton and regulated the endogenous hormone contents by regulating the relative expression levels of hormone-synthesis genes under drought stress.Melatonin-treated cotton seedlings maintained optimal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacities,and produced relatively lower levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde,thus reducing the drought stress damage to cotton roots(such as mitochondrial damage).Moreover,melatonin alleviated the yield and fiber length declines caused by drought stress.Taken together,these findings show that root drenching with exogenous melatonin increases the cotton yield by enhancing root development and reducing the root damage induced by drought stress.In summary,these results provide a foundation for the application of melatonin in the field by the root drenching method.

Combining ability of Egyptian cotton(Gossypium barbadense L.)reveals genetic potential for improved yield and fiber quality

Background As the most widely cultivated fiber crop,cotton production depends on hybridization to unlock the yield potential of current varieties.A deep understanding of genetic dissection is crucial for the cultivation of enhanced hybrid plants with desired traits,such as high yield and fine fiber quality.In this study,the general combining ability(GCA)and specific combining ability(SCA)of yield and fiber quality of nine cotton parents(six lines and three testers)and eighteen F1 crosses produced using a line×tester mating design were analyzed.Results The results revealed significant effects of genotypes,parents,crosses,and interactions between parents and crosses for most of the studied traits.Moreover,the effects of both additive and non-additive gene actions played a notably significant role in the inheritance of most of the yield and fiber quality attributes.The F1 hybrids of(Giza 90×Aust)×Giza 86,Uzbekistan 1×Giza 97,and Giza 96×Giza 97 demonstrated superior performance due to their favorable integration of high yield attributes and premium fiber quality characteristics.Path analysis revealed that lint yield has the highest positive direct effect on seed cotton yield,while lint percentage showed the highest negative direct effect on seed cotton yield.Principal component analysis identified specific parents and hybrids associated with higher cotton yield,fiber quality,and other agronomic traits.Conclusion This study provides insights into identifying potential single-and three-way cross hybrids with superior cotton yield and fiber quality characteristics,laying a foundation for future research on improving fiber quality in cotton.

Growth, yield and fiber quality characteristics of Bt and non-Bt cotton cultivars in response to boron nutrition

Background Boron(B)deficiency is an important factor for poor seed cotton yield and fiber quality.However,it is often missing in the plant nutrition program,particularly in developing countries.The current study investigated B’s effect on growth,yield,and fiber quality of Bt(CIM-663)and non-Bt(Cyto-124)cotton cultivars.The experimental plan consisted of twelve treatments:Control(CK);B at 1 mg·kg^(−1) soil application(SB1);2 mg·kg^(−1) B(SB2);3 mg·kg^(−1) B(SB3);0.2%B foliar spray(FB1);0.4%B foliar spray(FB2);1 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.2%B foliar spray(SB1+FB1);1 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.4%B foliar spray(SB1+FB2);2 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.2%B foliar spray(SB2+FB1);2 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.4%B foliar spray(SB2+FB2);3 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.2%B foliar spray(SB3+FB1);3 mg·kg^(−1) B+0.4%B foliar spray(SB3+FB2).Each treat-ment has three replications,one pot having two plants per replication.Results B nutrition at all levels and methods of application significantly(P≤0.05)affected the growth,physiological,yield,and fiber quality characteristics of both cotton cultivars.However,SB2 either alone or in combination with foliar spray showed superiority over others,particularly in the non-Bt cultivar which responded better to B nutrition.Maxi-mum improvement in monopodial branches(345%),sympodial branches(143%),chlorophyll-a(177%),chlorophyll-b(194%),photosynthesis(169%),and ginning out turn(579%)in the non-Bt cultivar was found with SB2 compared with CK.In Bt cultivar,although no consistent trend was found but integrated use of SB3 with foliar spray performed relatively better for improving cotton growth compared with other treatments.Fiber quality characteristics in both cultivars were improved markedly but variably with different B treatments.Conclusion B nutrition with SB2 either alone or in combination with foliar spray was found optimum for improving cotton’s growth and yield characteristics.

Spatial Pattern of Cotton Yield Variability and Its Response to Climate Change in Cotton Belt of Pakistan

Cotton is a revenue source for cotton-producing countries;as the second-largest crop in Pakistan,it significantly contributes to its economy.Over the past few decades,cotton productivity has become unstable in Pakistan,and climate change is one of the main factors that impact cotton yield.Due to climate change,it becomes very important to understand the change trend and its impact on cotton yield at the regional level.Here,we investigate the relationship of standardized cotton yield variability with the variability of climate factors using a 15-yr moving window.The piecewise regression was fitted to obtain the trend-shifting point of climate factors.The results show that precipitation has experienced an overall decreasing trend of–0.64 mm/yr during the study period,with opposing trends of–1.39 mm/yr and 1.52 mm/yr before and after the trend-shifting point,respectively.We found that cotton yield variability increased at a rate of 0.17%/yr,and this trend was highly correlated with the variability of climate factors.The multiple regression analysis explains that climate variability is a dominant factor and controlled 81%of the cotton production in the study area from 1990 to 2019,while it controlled 73%of the production from 1990 to 2002 and 84%from 2002 to 2019.These findings reveal that climate factors affact the distinct spatial pattern of changes in cotton yield variability at the tehsil level.

Are yarn quality prediction tools useful in the breeding of high yielding and better fibre quality cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)?

Results The population had large variations for lint yield,fibre properties,predicted yarn properties,and composite fibre quality values.Lint yield with all fibre quality traits was not correlated.When the selection was conducted first to keep those with improved fibre quality,and followed for high yields,a large proportion in the resultant populations was the same between selections based on Cottonspec predicted yarn quality and HVI-measured fibre properties.They both exceeded the selection based on FQI and Background The approach of directly testing yarn quality to define fibre quality breeding objectives and progress the selection is attractive but difficult when considering the need for time and labour.The question remains whether yarn prediction tools from textile research can serve as an alternative.In this study,using a dataset from three seasons of field testing recombinant inbred line population,Cottonspec,a software developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation(CSIRO)for predicting ring spun yarn quality from fibre properties measured by High Volume Instrument(HVI),was used to select improved fibre quality and lint yield in the population.The population was derived from an advanced generation inter-crossing of four CSIRO conventional commercial varieties.The Cottonspec program was able to provide an integrated index of the fibre qualities affecting yarn properties.That was compared with selection based on HVI-measured fibre properties,and two composite fibre quality variables,namely,fibre quality index(FQI),and premium and discount(PD)points.The latter represents the net points of fibre length,strength,and micronaire based on the Premiums and Discounts Schedule used in the market while modified by the inclusion of elongation.PD points.Conclusions The population contained elite segregants with improved yield and fibre properties,and Cottonspec predicted yarn quality is useful to effectively capture these elites.There is a need to further develop yarn quality prediction tools through collaborative efforts with textile mills,to draw better connectedness between fibre and yarn quality.This connection will support the entire cotton value chain research and evolution.

High day and night temperatures impact on cotton yield and quality——current status and future research direction

Heat waves,and an increased number of warm days and nights,have become more prevalent in major agricultural regions of the world.Although well adapted to semi-arid regions,cotton is vulnerable to high temperatures,particularly during flowering and boll development.To maintain lint yield potential without compromising its quality under high-temperature stress,it is essential to understand the effects of heat stress on various stages of plant growth and development,and associated tolerance mechanisms.Despite ongoing efforts to gather data on the effects of heat stress on cotton growth and development,there remains a critical gap in understanding the distinct influence of high temperatures during the day and night on cotton yield and quality.Also,identifying mechanisms and target traits that induce greater high day and night temperature tolerance is essential for breeding climate-resilient cotton for future uncertain climates.To bridge these knowledge gaps,we embarked on a rigorous and comprehensive review of published literature,delving into the impact of heat stress on cotton yields and the consequential losses in fiber quality.This review encompasses information on the effects of heat stress on growth,physiological,and biochemical responses,fertilization,cotton yield,and quality.Additionally,we discuss management options for minimizing heat stress-induced damage,and the benefits of integrating conventional and genomics-assisted breeding for developing heat-tolerant cotton cultivars.Finally,future research areas that need to be addressed to develop heat-resilient cotton are proposed.

QTL Mapping of Yield and Yield Components for Elite Hybrid Derived-RILs in Upland Cotton

A population of 180 recombinant inbred lines （RILs） was developed by single seed descended from the cross of high yield Upland cotton （Gossypium hirsutum L.） varieties Zhongmiansuo12 （ZMSI2） and 8891, the two parents of Xiangzamian2 （XZM2）. A genetic linkage map consisting of 132 loci and covering 865.20 cM was constructed using the RIL population chiefly with SSR markers. Yield and yield components were investigated for RILs in three environments in China. The purpose of the present research was to analyze the relationship between yield and its components and to map QTL for yield and yield components in cotton. QTL were tagged with data sets from single environment （separate analysis） and a set of data from means of the three environments （joint analysis）. A total of 34 QTL for yield and yield components were independently detected in three environments, whereas fifteen QTL were found in joint analysis. Notably, a stable lint percentage QTL qLP-A10-1 was detected both in joint analysis and in two environments of separate analysis, which might be of special value for marker-assisted selection. The QTL detected in the present study provide new information on improving yield and yield components. Results of path analysis showed that bolls/plant had the largest contribution to lint yield, which is consistent with the mid-parent heterosis value in F1. Accordingly, in cotton breeding, bolls/plant can be considered first and other yield components measured as a whole to implement variety enhancement and hybrid selection of cotton.

Relation Analysis of Several Agronomic Traits and Single Plant Lint Yield in Upland Cotton with High Quality

[ Objective] The purpose was to study the correlation between main agronomic traits and single plant lint yield in upland cotton with high quality. [ Method] Twenty-four upland cotton lines with high quality were analyzed for single plant lint yield and 10 agronomic traits in a randomized, complete block at the agriculture experimental station of JXAU, Nanchang, China in 2007. They were divided into three types （ high, medium, low yield） based on single plant lint yield by Ward＇s method. A total of 11 traits of three types were compared. Correlation a- nalysis and stepwise regression analysis of 10 agronomic traits to single plant lint yield were carried out. [ Result] There existed statistically sig- nificant difference in bolls per plant, ~int percentage, lint index, fruit node numbers, growth period for three yield types. The high yield type ex- hibited the highest bolls per plant, lint percentage and lint index, the lowest fruit node numbers and the shortest growth period. Bolls per plant, boll weight and single plant lint yield were significantly and positively correlated. Fruit node numbers and single plant lint yield were significantly and negatively correlated. Bolls per plant, boll weight, and fruiting position number were the most important factors influencing single plant lint yield of upland cotton lines with high quality. [ Conclusion ] The results will have certain significance for the development of upland cotton variety with high quality.

Effects of Potassium Fertilizing Rates on Yield, Fiber Quality and Potassium Use Efficiency of Three Hybrid Cotton Cultivars

The effects of potassium （K） application rates on the yield, fiber quality and K fertilizer use efficiency of three hybrid cotton varieties （Jin102, Xiangzamian8, Siyang328） were studied in field experiment. Fertilizer rates of K2O 135 and 270 kg/hm2, representing 1x and 2x recommended K rates, were applied, no application of k fertilizer as the CK. The results show that the lint yield increased 39.13%-57.48%with potassium application, highly significantly. Al yield components of the three hy-brid cotton varieties increased with the increase of K application amounts. The bol number per plant, single bol weight and lint percentage were increased by 14.24%-40.29%, 3.59%-15.51% and 0.16%-4.89%, respectively, and the fiber length and specific strength also increased with the increasing K application amounts, showing no significant influence on Micronaire. When the K application amounts increased from 135 to 270 kg/hm2, the partial factor productivity （PFPk） reduced by 45.93%-48.01%, and the agronomic efficiency （AEk） reduced by 37.1%-42.9%. The PFPk and KE （K efficiency coefficients） of S328 were the highest among the three varieties, which also showed the strongest resistance to low potassium stress, and with no potassi-um fertilizer application （K0）, the lint yield of S328 was 5.54% and 11.19% higher than that of X8 and J102. The AEk of J102 was the highest, and its reward of K fertilizer was the greatest among the three varieties.

Breeding of High Yield and Genetically Modified Hybrid Cotton-Sumian 29

Sumian 29, a genetically modified cotton variety, was approved by Autho- rized Committee of Crop Varieties of Jiangsu Province in 2013. Yield performance, cultivation characteristics of Sumian 29, and its selection and breeding process were introduced in the paper. Regional tests from 2010 to 2011 in Jiangsu Province showed that seed cotton yield and lint yield averaged 4 185 and 1 737 kg/hm2, and increased by 10.6% and 8.5% respectively, when compared with control （Siza 3）. In production test, seed cotton yield and lint yield of Sumian 29 averaged 4 176 and 1 744.5 kg/hm2, respectively. Sumian 29 had high resistance to cotton bollworm, and also resistance to Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt of cotton. All of its fiber qualities achieved National Standard III and above. Sumian 29 has good application prospects.

Population Construction and Super-high Yield Characteristics of Japonica Super Rice in Cold Regions

[Objective] This study was conducted to construct a super-high yield population of Japnica rice in cold regions of North China and to explore its characteristics. [Method] The super rice variety Longjing 21 was selected as the experimental material. Different row spacing（two levels）, plant spacing（three levels） and seedling number per hill（three levels） were designed in field trials. Then, the growth stages,dry matter accumulation, leaf area, yield and yield components of these different treatments were measured. [Result] Rice yield had significantly negative correlation with plant spacing and row spacing, but no significant correlation with seedling number per hill. Rice yield was mainly affected by plant spacing, and less affected by seedling number per hill. The best recommended specifications for plant spacing of super rice variety Longjing 21 were 24 cm for row spacing, 12 cm for plant spacing and five seedlings per hill, and the expected yield was 10 473.0 kg/hm^2.The increased number of total spikelets（4.5×108hm2or more） in populations was the major reason for high yield. Super-high yield populations had fewer tillers at the early growth stage and achieved the expected number of productive tillers at critical leaf-age（June 25）, and tiller number peaked at jointing stage（July 6） and was about 1.2 times of the expected number. The percentage of productive tillers in total tillers of super-high yield population was more than 85% at heading stage. At middle growth stage（from jointing to heading stage）, the dry matter accumulation, leaf area index（LAI） at heading stage, effective leaf area, spikelet number of population,spikelet number per leaf area unit（cm2）, and culm-sheath weight per stem of super-high yield population were significantly higher than those of other populations.At late growth stage（from heading to maturity stage）, the leaf area decreasing rate of super-high yield population was significantly smaller than that of other populations. At late growth stage（from heading to maturity stage）, the leaf area decreasing rate, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, biomass accumulation, number of filled grains per leaf area unit（cm^2） and grain weight per leaf area unit（cm^2） of high-yield population were significantly higher than those of other populations. Output and translocation of dry matter（weight per stem and sheath and total filling rate at maturity） from heading to milky stage of super-high yield population were significantly higher than those of other populations. [Conclusion] The characteristics of superhigh yield rice in cold region of North China are enriching the amount of actual filling of sink through improving photosynthetic efficiency from heading to maturity stage on the basis of enough panicle numbers.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Yield Characters and Quality Characters of New Cotton Varieties in Mid-south Area of Hebei

The yield characters and quality characters of several new cotton varieties in the mid-south area of Hebei Province were comprehensively evaluated in this pa- per. In different ecological environments, the single-boll weight of tested cotton vari- eties had the biggest variation coefficient among yield characters and micronaire value had the biggest variation coefficient among fiber quality characters. Path analy- sis indicated that the direct path coefficients of various characters had the flowing order, lint percentage〉 number of bolls per plant〉 single-boll weight〉 seed index among yield components and uniformity index 〉 fiber specific strength〉 micronaire value〉 elongation rate〉 upper half staple length among fiber quality characters. Principal component analysis indicated that the top three principal components contributed 8.263% of accumulated variance, basically reflecting the vast majority of informations of 10 main characters in tested cotton varieties.

The quantified analysis of China's GM cotton yield capacity by C-D function and stochastic frontier model

Using a modified C D function and stochastic frontier model, the paper analyzed China's cotton yield capacity and found that the yield and technical efficiency of China's cotton planting system can be increased by the use of genetically modified (GM) varieties.

Correlation Analysis on Main Agronomic Traits and Yield and Quality of Hybrid Cotton

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the correlations of the main agronomic traits, yield and quality of hybrid cotton cultivars. MethodThe growth period, main agronomic traits, yield components, yield and quality of 13 hybrid cotton cultivars were compared, and the correlations of their main agronomic traits, yield components, yield and quality were analyzed. ResultThe growth period of the 13 cultivars was about 123 d, and all of them presented strong growth potential throughout the growth period. The ginned cotton yield shared an extremely significant positive correlation with the first fruiting branch position, plant height, number of fruiting branches, number of bolls per plant, number of bolls per hectare and seed cotton yield; the first fruiting branch position and micronaire value shared a significant positive correlation. Keza No.1 and Chunzamian No.1 had the lowest micronaire value, 4.5. The specific strength of all the cotton cultivars ranged from 27 cN/tex to 30 cN/tex, presenting significant difference. In addition, there was extremely significant difference in the ginned cotton yield among all the cotton cultivars. ConclusionThe study provides theoretical reference for the cultivation of high-yield hybrid cotton.

Effects of Plant Density on Yield and Canopy Micro Environment in Hybrid Cotton

A rational plant population is an important attribute to high yield of cotton, because it can provide a beneficial micro environment within the canopy for plant growth and development as well as yield formation. A 2-yr field experiment was conducted to determine the optimal plant density based on cotton yield in relation to the canopy micro environment （canopy temperature, relative humidity and light transmittance）. Six plant densities （1.2-5.7 plants m^-2） were arranged with a completely randomized block design. The highest cotton yield （1 507 kg ha^-1） was obtained at 3.0 plants m^-2 due to more bolls per unit ground area （79 bolls m2）, while the lowest yield （1 091 kg ha1） was obtained at 1.2 plants m^-2. Under the moderate plant density （3.0 plants m^-2）, there was a lower mean daily temperature （MDT, 27. 1℃） attributing to medium daily minimum temperature （Train, 21.9℃） and the lowest daily maximum temperature （Tmax, 35.8℃）, a moderate mean canopy light transmittance of 0.51, and lower mean daily relative humidity （MRH） of 79.7% from June to October. The results suggest that 3.0 plants m^-2 would be the optimal plant density because it provides a better canopy micro environment.

Effects of planting patterns on yield, quality, and defoliation in machine-harvested cotton

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of different machine-harvested cotton-planting patterns on defoliation,yield,and fiber quality in cotton and to provide support for improving the quality of machine-harvested cotton.In the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons,the Xinluzao 45(XLZ45)and Xinluzao 62(XLZ62)cultivars,which are primarily cultivated in northern Xinjiang,were used as study materials.Conventional wide-narrow row(WNR),wide and ultra-narrow row(UNR),wide-row spacing with high density(HWR),and wide-row spacing with low density(LWR)planting patterns were used to assess the effects of planting patterns on defoliation,yield,and fiber quality.Compared with WNR,the seed cotton yields were significantly decreased by 2.06–5.48%for UNR and by 2.50–6.99%for LWR,respectively.The main cause of reduced yield was a reduction in bolls per unit area.The variation in HWR yield was–1.07–1.07%with reduced bolls per unit area and increased boll weight,thus demonstrating stable production.In terms of fiber quality indicators,the planting patterns only showed significant effects on the micronaire value,with wide-row spacing patterns showing an increase in the micronaire values.The defoliation and boll-opening results showed that the number of leaves and dried leaves in HWR was the lowest among the four planting patterns.Prior to the application of defoliating agent and before machine-harvesting,the numbers of leaves per individual plant in HWR were decreased by 14.45 and 25.00%on average,respectively,compared with WNR,while the number of leaves per unit area was decreased by 27.44 and 36.21%on average,respectively.The rates of boll-opening and defoliation in HWR were the highest.Specifically,the boll-opening rate before defoliation and machine-harvesting in HWR was 44.54 and 5.94%higher on average than in WNR,while the defoliation rate prior to machine-harvesting was 3.45%higher on average than in WNR.The numbers of ineffective defoliated leaves and leaf trash in HWR were the lowest,decreased by 33.40 and 32.43%,respectively,compared with WNR.In conclusion,the HWR planting pattern is associated with a high and stable yield,does not affect fiber quality,promotes early maturation,and can effectively decrease the amount of leaf trash in machine-picked seed cotton,and thus its use is able to improve the quality of machine-harvested cotton.

Effects of emitter discharge rates on soil salinity distribution and cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield under drip irrigation with plastic mulch in an arid region of Northwest China

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of different emitter discharge rates under drip irrigation on soil salinity distribution and cotton yield in an extreme arid region of Tarim River catchment in Northwest China. Four treatments of emitter discharge rates, i.e. 1.8, 2.2, 2.6 and 3.2 L/h, were designed under drip irrigation with plastic mulch in this paper. The salt distribution in the range of 70-cm horizontal distance and 100-cm vertical distance from the emitter was measured and analyzed during the cotton growing season. The soil salinity is expressed in terms of electrical conductivity （dS/m） of the saturated soil extract （ECe）, which was measured using Time Domain Reflector （TDR） 20 times a year, including 5 irrigation events and 4 measured times before/after an irrigation event. All the treatments were repeated 3 times. The groundwater depth was observed by SEBA MDS Dipper 3 automatically at three experimental sites. The results showed that the order of reduction in averaged soil salinity was 2.6 L/h 〉 2.2 L/h 〉 1.8 L/h 〉 3.2 L/h after the completion of irrigation for the 3-year cotton growing season. Therefore, the choice of emitter discharge rate is considerably important in arid silt loam. Usually, the ideal emitter discharge rate is 2.4-3.0 L/h for soil desalinization with plastic mulch, which is advisable mainly because of the favorable salt leaching of silt loam and the climatic conditions in the studied arid area. Maximum cotton yield was achieved at the emitter discharge rate of 2.6 L/h under drip irrigation with plastic mulch in silty soil at the study site. Hence, the emitter discharge rate of 2.6 L/h is recommended for drip irrigation with plastiic mulch applied in silty soil in arid regions.

One-time fertilization at first flowering improves lint yield and dry matter partitioning in late planted short-season cotton

Cotton producers have substantially reduced their inputs(labor,nutrients,and management)mainly by adopting a shortseason cropping management that is characterized by late sowing,high density,and reduced fertilization with one-time application at the first bloom stage without lint yield reduction.However,it has been hypothesized that one-time fertilization at an earlier growth stage could be a more effective and economic management practice.A two-year field experiment was conducted by applying five fertilizer one-time fertilization at 0(FT1),5(FT2),10(FT3),15(FT4),and 20(FT5)days after the first flower appeared in the field and one three-split fertilizer application taken as the conventional control(FT6),making six treatments altogether.Cotton growth period,biomass accumulation,yield,and its formation were quantified.The results showed that the one-time fertilization did not affect the cotton growth progress as compared to FT6,however,the total crop cycles for FT3–FT5 were 3 days shorter.FT1 produced the highest cotton lint yield(1396 kg ha–1),which was similar to the FT6 but higher than the other treatments,and could be attributed to more bolls per unit area and higher lint percentage.Cotton yield was positively correlated with cotton plant biomass accumulated.FT1 had both the highest average(VT)(193.7 kg ha–1 d–1)and the highest maximum(VM)(220.9 kg ha–1 d–1)rates during the fast biomass accumulation period.These results suggest that one-time fertilizer application at the first flower stage might be an adjustment that is more effective than at first bloom,and allowed for easier decision making for application date due to non counting of plants with flowers is needed.

Spatial distribution of bolls affects yield formation in different genotypes of Bt cotton varieties

To optimize the spatial distribution of cotton bolls and to increase the yield,the relationship between yield components and boll spatial distribution was investigated among different Bt(Bacillus thuringensis)cotton varieties.A five-year field experiment was conducted to reveal the reasons for the differences in lint yield and fiber quality across three Bt cotton varieties with different yield formations from 2013 to 2017.The lint yield of Jiman 169(the average yield from 2013-2017 was 42.2 g/plant)was the highest,i.e.,16.3 and 36.9%higher than Lumianyan 21(L21)and Daizimian 99B(99B),respectively.And the differences in boll weight among the three cultivars were similar to the lint yield,while the others yield components were not.So the increase in lint yield was mainly attributed to the enlargement in boll weight.However,the change in fiber quality was inconsistent with the lint yield,and the quality of L21 was significantly better than that of Jimian 169(J169)and 99B,which was caused by the diversity of boll spatial distribution.Compared with 99B,the loose-type J169 had the highest number of large bolls in inner positions;the tight-type L21 had a few large bolls and the highest number of lower and middle bolls.And approximately 80.72%of the lint yield was concentrated on the inner nodes in Jiman 169,compared with 77.44%of L21 and 66.73%of 99B during the five-year experiment.Although lint yield was significantly affected by the interannual changes,the lint yield of J169 was the highest and the most stable,as well as its yield components.These observations demonstrated the increase in lint yield was due to the increase in boll weight,and the large bolls and high fiber quality were attributed to the optimal distribution of bolls within the canopies.

Effect of N fertilization rate on soil alkalihydrolyzable N, subtending leaf N concentration,fiber yield, and quality of cotton

Soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, which is sensitive to N fertilization rate, is one of the indicators of soil nitrogen supplying capacity. Two field experiments were conducted in Dongtai(120°19″ E, 32°52″ N), Jiangsu, China in 2009 and Dafeng(120°28″ E, 33°12″ N), Jiangsu province, China in 2010. Six nitrogen rates(0, 150, 300, 375, 450, and 600 kg ha^(-1)) were used to study the effect of N fertilization rate on soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen content(SAHNC), subtending leaf nitrogen concentration(SLNC), yield, and fiber quality. In both Dongtai and Dafeng experiment station, the highest yield(1709 kg ha^(-1)), best quality(fiber length 30.6 mm, fiber strength 31.6 c N tex^(-1), micronaire 4.82), and highest N agronomic efficiency(2.03 kg kg^(-1)) were achieved at the nitrogen fertilization rate of 375 kg ha^(-1). The dynamics of SAHNC and SLNC could be simulated with a cubic and an exponential function,respectively. The changes in SAHNC were consistent with the changes in SLNC. Optimal average rate(0.276 mg day^(-1)) and duration(51.8 days) of SAHNC rapid decline were similar to the values obtained at the nitrogen rate of 375 kg ha^(-1)at which cotton showed highest fiber yield, quality, and N agronomic efficiency. Thus, the levels and strategies of nitrogen fertilization can affect SAHNC dynamics. The N fertilization rate that optimizes soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen content would optimize the subtending leaf nitrogen concentration and thereby increase the yield and quality of the cotton fiber.