Effects of mepiquat chloride on yield and main properties of cottonseed under different plant densities

Background:Cottonseed oil and protein content as well as germination traits are major indicators of seed quality.However,the responses of these indicators to plant density and mepiquat chloride(MC)are still uncertain.To investigate plant density and MC effects on cotto nseed yield and main quality parameters,we con ducted a twoyear field experiment including four plant densities(1.35,2.55,3.75 and 4.95 plants·m^-2)and two closes of MC(0 and 135g·hm^-2)in Dafeng,Jiangsu Province,in 2013 and 2014.Results:The application of MC reduced plant height,fruit branch length and fruiting branch number under different plant densities,resulting in a lower and more compact plant canopy.Cottonseed yield showed a nonlinear increase as plant density increasing and achieved the highest value at 3.75 plants·m^-2,regardless of MC application.No significant interactio ns were found between plant density and MC for cotton seed yield and quality parameters.The 100-seed weight,cottonseed oil content and vigor index significantly decreased as plant density increased,while these parameters significantly increased with MC applying under different plant densities.Seed vigor index was positively correlated with 100-seed weight and seed oil con tent across different plant densities and MC treatments.Conclusions:Thus,application of MC could realize a win-win situation between cottonseed yield and main quality parameters under various densities;and plant density of 3.75 plants·m^-2 combined with 135 g·hm^-2 of MC applying is optimal for high cottonseed yield and quality in this cotton production area.

Ameliorative effects of potassium on drought-induced decreases in fiber length of cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.) are associated with osmolyte dynamics during fiber development

Fiber length of cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)decreases under drought stress,potassium(K)could diminish the decreased caused by drought,but the mechanism associated with this alleviation effect is not clear.We evaluated the effect of K on fiber elongation using two cotton cultivars,Simian 3 and Siza 3,grown in well-watered and drought-stressed conditions.Potassium fertilizer(K2O)was applied 0,150,or 300 kg ha?1 in each growing condition.Drought stress reduced the final fiber length due to a decline in the maximum rate of rapid elongation(Vmax,mmday?1).The application of K alleviated the droughtinduced fiber length reduction by increasing Vmax.At 10 and 15 days post-anthesis(DPA),drought significantly reduced osmotic potential(OP)and increased K+and malate contents at all K rates,relative to well-watered conditions,which was associated with increased activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase(PEPC),V-ATPase,PPase,and PM H+-ATPase in cotton fiber.However,the relative contribution of K+and malate to OP declined under drought in comparison with well-watered condition.Compared with control without K,K application decreased OP and increased the accumulation of osmolytes(K+,malate and soluble sugar)as well as the activities of related enzymes in fiber irrespective of water treatments.Moreover,K application increased osmotic adjustment during drought,and improved the contribution of K+and malate to OP,especially under drought stress.This study showed that drought decreased fiber length by reducing Vmax,and K application ameliorates the decline in fiber elongation due to drought by enhancing osmolytes accumulation and their contribution to OP in fiber cells.