Search

Growth, productivity, and fiber quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), a vital fiber-producing cash crop, are severely affected under drought conditions. Seed priming has a proven role in enhancing crop tolerance to abiotic stress, including drought. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of seed priming with KNO3 on cotton productivity and fiber quality under drought stress. A germination experiment was established under laboratory conditions with five treatments of seed priming (non-primed or control treatment, hydropriming, and priming with 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 g KNO3 L−1). Another experiment under polyhouse conditions based on the same seed priming treatments was conducted under three levels of soil water contents (field capacity [FC] 100%: FC100, 75%: FC75, and 50%: FC50). The results obtained showed that there was a clear reduction in the different parameters tested at FC50 in comparison to FC100 (39–54%, 32–44%, 6–12%, and 7–12% reduction for boll number per plant, seed cotton yield, fiber strength, and leaf relative water content, respectively, across all priming treatments). Seed priming with KNO3 at 5 g L−1 effectively alleviated the detrimental effects originated from drought stress and caused 61–73%, 13–16%, and 16–23% increase in seed cotton yield, fiber length, and fiber strength, respectively, across soil moisture levels when compared with the control treatment. The same KNO3 dose caused an increase of 78% in water productivity in comparison to the control plants at FC50. Priming cotton seeds with 5 g KNO3 L−1 holds promise to obtain synchronized germination, enhance fiber quality, and increase yield, especially under water-limited conditions, thereby promoting economic viability and environmental sustainability. Additionally, this practice enhances water productivity, leading to significant water savings and reduced irrigation costs for cotton farmers. This method could be used as potential technology in advancing sustainable agriculture in water-constraint conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in cotton seed size and seeding density exists due to increased seeding cost and overall decreased seed size of cotton varieties. An experiment was conducted in 2019 and 2020 in Jackson, TN, Starkville, MS, and Brooksville, MS, to determine the impact of seed size, seeding density, and variety on cotton plant development and yield. Early‐season seedling vigor was impacted by seeding density and seed size. Larger seeds and higher seeding densities produced the greatest seedling vigor. Fresh weight biomass was also impacted by seed size, as larger seed produced greater fresh and dry cotton plant biomass when pooled over seeding density and variety. The greatest seed cotton yields were obtained from planting larger seed, higher seeding densities, and from 'DP 1646 B2XF'. Cotton variety and seeding density influenced financial returns and fiber quality. 'NexGen 3406 B2XF' planted at 148,200 seeds ha−1 resulted in the lowest micronaire. Net returns were not influenced by seed size or seeding density; therefore, depending on seed costs, increasing seeding densities may not be beneficial. Core Ideas: Early season vigor was impacted by seed size and seeding density.Vigor ratings indicated that larger seeds and seeding densities produced the greatest visual vigor rating.Greatest seed cotton yields obtained by plating larger seed, greater seed density, and Delta Pine 1646 B2XF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mali is among Africa's three biggest cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)‐producing countries, and cotton growing is the principal driving force behind Mali's agricultural sector. Cotton production is rainfed on small‐scale family farms as a commercial crop alongside staple crops grown for subsistence. Cultivar choice, planting date, and planting density are critical elements for seed cotton yield that should be optimized. This study aimed to understand the interactions between planting dates and planting densities for the optimal production of four cotton cultivars in Mali. Two trials were set up in two seasons at the Finkolo and N'Tarla research stations. A split‐plot design with four replications was used, with planting dates (early and delayed by 3 weeks) as the main plots and planting density (41,666; 83,333; and 166,666 plants/ha) and cultivar (Malian NTA MS334, Togolese STAM 129A, Australian SIOKRA L23, and Brazilian BRS 293) as the subplots. In 2021, seed cotton yield was 1263 kg/ha for early planting versus 361 kg/ha for late planting. Medium and high planting densities produced the same yield level, higher than the low planting density. Regardless of the planting density, early plantings' average capsular weight and seed index were higher than those of late plantings. The African cultivars (STAM 129A and Malian cultivar NTA MS334) were the most productive. Due to significant interactions on fiber percentage and to optimize cotton yields in Mali, planting should be early, with planting densities higher than 41,666 plants/ha, and either of the African cultivars tested should be used. Core Ideas: Cotton cultivars from three continents were compared in 24 cropping situations in two sites and 2 years.There was no interaction between cultivar, planting date, and planting density on seed cotton yield.There was an interaction between planting date and cultivar on fiber content (percentage of fiber in seed cotton [%F]).The %F of African cultivars was high and was not affected by late planting dates.African cultivars performed better than others under early and late planting conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In arid areas, exploring new "dry sowing wet emergence (DSWE)" water-saving irrigation techniques may become one of the most important ways to reduce agricultural irrigation water use and improve economic efficiency. Methods: The study was conducted in a two-year field trial in 2021 and 2022, setting up three seedling emergence rates (W1: 6 mm, W2: 10.5 mm, W3: 15 mm) and two drip frequencies (D1: 2 times, D2: 4 times) for a total of six irrigation combinations. Results and discussion: The results indicate that under the "DSWE" irrigation pattern, in contrast to the low frequency treatment, the photosynthetic efficiency of cotton leaves in the high-frequency treatment is significantly higher. The stomatal conductance of cotton leaves has increased by 6.67% within two years, and the net photosynthetic rate has risen by 12.22%. Compared with the CK treatment, there is no remarkable difference in the photosynthetic indicators of the W3D2 treatment, while the net photosynthetic rate has increased by 1.68%. The population physiological indicators of each treatment group exhibit a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing as the growth period prolongs. The differences in the group population physiological indicators of cotton at the seedling stage among different seedling water treatments are relatively minor. The high frequency treatment maintains a relatively high level throughout the growth period. Compared with the low-frequency treatment, the yields of lint cotton and seed cotton in the high-frequency treatment have increased by 14.77% and 20.89%, respectively. Compared with the winter irrigation technology, there are no significant differences in the cotton yield and quality indicators of the "DSWE" high-frequency and high-seedling water treatment (W3D2). Over two years, the average unit yields of lint and seed cotton have decreased by 1.95% and 3.01%, respectively. Nevertheless, irrigation water during the growth period declined by 38.46%. The appropriate "DSWE" irrigation technology (W3D2) can significantly enhance the physiological indicators of cotton, ensuring crop yield and quality while significantly reducing the amount of agricultural irrigation water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton seeds have poorer germination than other crops because of their high sensitivity towards insect pests and other biotic and abiotic stresses during the germination process. In the present study, inorganic bulk and nano nutrients of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized using the chemical reduction method and invigourated with cotton seeds. The characterization of nanoparticles was done by FESEM, HRTEM, UV/Vis analysis and FTIR. The delinted and fuzzy seeds of two American cotton varieties (H 1300 and H 1098-i) were nano-primed for 10 h with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) @ 400 ppm and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) @ 100 ppm. After nanoparticle invigouration, the seeds were analyzed for various parameters at different intervals (0 months, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months) such as germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight, electrical conductivity, dehydrogenase activity, antioxidant enzyme activity. The results indicated that that different storage periods and nanopriming treatments had significant effects on all seed quality parameters except the effect of nanopriming treatments on germination percentage (excluding delinted seeds of H 1098-i). It is also revealed that the interaction effect of nanopriming treatment and storage period was non-significant on all parameters except EC. Maximum reduction in seed quality parameters was observed in control treatment and minimum was found when seeds were nanoprimed with ZnONPs @ 400 ppm. The differences in the response for both NPs can be attributed to their surface charge, and concentration used. Overall, ZnONPs and TiO2NPs could hold seed quality and vigour during the storage of cotton seeds of American varieties (H 1300 and H 1098-i). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document "Special Issue: Cotton Molecular Genomics and Genetics 2.0" published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences highlights the importance of cotton as a global economic crop, focusing on fiber and seed quality, stress resilience, and genetic diversity within the Gossypium genus. Various studies discussed in the document explore topics such as fiber development, color formation, salt tolerance, resistance to Fusarium wilt, lint percentage, and somatic embryogenesis in cotton. The research aims to advance molecular genetics and genomics in cotton breeding programs, offering insights into gene regulation, stress tolerance, and agronomic traits for potential applications in cotton cultivation. [Extracted from the article]

The root system plays a crucial role in water and nutrient absorption, making it a significant factor affected by nitrogen (N) availability in the soil. However, the intricate dynamics and distribution patterns of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) root density and N nutrient under varying N supplies in Southern Xinjiang, China, have not been thoroughly understood. A two-year experiment (2021 and 2022) was conducted to determine the effects of five N rates (0, 150, 225, 300, and 450 kg N ha−1) on the root system, shoot growth, N uptake and distribution, and cotton yield. Compared to the N0 treatment (0 kg N ha−1), the application of N fertilizer at a rate of 300 kg N ha−1 resulted in consistent and higher seed cotton yields of 5875 kg ha−1 and 6815 kg ha−1 in 2021 and 2022, respectively. This N fertilization also led to a significant improvement in dry matter weight and N uptake by 32.4% and 53.7%, respectively. Furthermore, applying N fertilizer at a rate of 225 kg N ha−1 significantly increased root length density (RLD), root surface density (RSD), and root volume density (RVD) by 49.6–113.3%, 29.1–95.1%, and 42.2–64.4%, respectively, compared to the treatment without N fertilization (0 kg N ha−1). Notably, the roots in the 0–20 cm soil layers exhibited a stronger response to N fertilization compared to the roots distributed in the 20–40 cm soil layers. The root morphology parameters (RLD, RSD, and RVD) at specific soil depths (0–10 cm in the seedling stage, 10–25 cm in the bud stage, and 20–40 cm in the peak boll stage) were significantly associated with N uptake and seed cotton yield. Optimizing nitrogen fertilizer supply within the range of 225–300 kg N ha−1 can enhance root foraging, thereby promoting the interaction between roots and shoots and ultimately improving cotton production in arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to address the current deficit in research on discrete elements within the context of the cotton seed pressing process, a combination of physical tests and simulation experiments were conducted on Xinluzao 84 cottonseed. The Plackett-Burman experimental design was employed to identify the parameters that had a significant impact on the accumulation angle. Subsequently, the Box-Behnken design was employed to establish a second-order regression model for the accumulation angle and the significant parameters. This resulted in the optimal parameter combination for the maximum friction coefficient, minimum sliding friction coefficient and critical shear stress being 0.207, 0.388, and 5 x 106 Pa, respectively. In order to calibrate the cottonseed bonding parameters, a Box-Behnken test was designed based on the results of the cottonseed particle crushing test. The optimal parameter combinations of normal stiffness, tangential stiffness, and bond radius were obtained as 1.25 x 109 N/m², 7.57 x 108 N/m², and 0.727 mm, respectively. The obtained parameters were verified by the simulation of stacking angle and the crushing test simulation. The relative error was 0.84% and 0.46%, respectively. This serves to validate the cottonseed bonding model and simulation parameters, thereby providing a foundation for optimising the core structural parameters of the cottonseed shelling machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. We determined the effects of increasing the dietary inclusion of whole cottonseed (WCS) on nutrient digestibility and the milk production responses of high-producing dairy cows. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows (mean ± SD; 52.7 ± 2.63 kg/d milk; 104 ± 23 DIM) were randomly assigned to treatment sequences in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Treatments were increasing doses of WCS at 0%, 8%, 16%, and 24% DM, with WCS replacing soybean meal and hulls to maintain similar diet nutrient composition (% DM) of NDF (32%), forage NDF (21%), starch (27%), and CP (17%). Total fatty acid (FA) content of each treatment was 1.70%, 2.96%, 4.20%, and 5.40% DM, respectively. Three preplanned contrasts were used to test the linear, quadratic, and cubic effects of increasing dietary WCS. Increasing dietary WCS from 0% to 24% DM quadratically influenced the intake of DM and NDF, with the highest value being the inclusion of 8% WCS, and intakes of 16- and 18-carbon, and total FA, with maximum values obtained up to 24% WCS. Increasing dietary WCS affected digestibility of DM (cubic) and NDF (quadratic), with the lowest values being the inclusion of 8% WCS. Increasing WCS increased 16-carbon digestibility (quadratic) but decreased digestibility of 18-carbon and total FA (both quadratic), with highest and lowest values for the inclusion of 24% WCS, respectively. Increasing dietary WCS quadratically increased absorbed 16- and 18-carbon, and total FA, with maximum values obtained for 24% WCS. Increasing dietary WCS quadratically increased yields of milk, milk fat, milk protein, milk lactose, 3.5% FCM, and ECM, and linearly increased BW gain. The source of milk FA was affected by dietary WCS, with a quadratic decrease in the yield of de novo and mixed milk FA and a quadratic increase in preformed milk FA. Increasing dietary WCS linearly increased trans- 10 C18:1 milk FA content. As dietary WCS increased, plasma insulin linearly decreased, and plasma gossypol levels linearly increased. Despite the decrease in total FA digestibility, increasing dietary WCS from 0% to 24% DM increased FA absorption. Increasing the dietary inclusion of WCS up to 16% DM increased milk production responses and DM intake. Under the current dietary conditions, high-producing dairy cows benefited best from a diet containing an inclusion of 8% to 16% WCS in DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton micronaire is an essential fiber quality attribute that characterizes both fiber maturity and fineness components. Micronaire and other attributes are measured on fiber lint routinely in laboratories under controlled environmental conditions following a well-established high-volume instrument protocol. In this study, the attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, characterizing fundamental group vibrations in fiber cellulose from 4000 to 400 cm−1, and using an attenuated total reflection device, was explored for fiber micronaire assessment, especially for seed cotton locule fibers that were mingled with nonlint materials, and varied in fiber maturity within a naturally variable sample. Partial least squares multivariate regression models and the algorithmic infrared maturity approach were developed and then applied to predict micronaire values of validation samples and independent seed cotton samples for comparison. Unlike partial least squares models that showed worse in the coefficient of determination, bias, and percentage of samples within the 95% agreement range for independent samples than for validation samples, the algorithmic infrared maturity approach indicated a similarity in the coefficient of determination, bias, and percentage of samples within the 95% agreement range between the validation samples and independent samples. In particular, the algorithmic infrared maturity approach avoided the need to re-calibrate the model with new samples. Therefore, the development of a robust and effective Fourier transform infrared technique combined with the infrared maturity approach for rapid laboratory micronaire assessment and distribution demonstrated a great potential for its extension to the early micronaire testing in remote/breeding locations, and also to regular cotton fibers, processed cotton yarns and fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is subclinical form of acidosis in ruminants. Identification of SARA affected dairy cows is important to implement effective control strategies specially in terms of feeding practices. Hence, an attempt was made to study the role of risk factors in the occurrence of SARA. A cross-sectional study on dairy cows maintained in various dairy farms in and around Shivamogga on different feeding patterns to determine the risk factors associated with SARA was undertaken. The presence of SARA in dairy cows was identified by measuring pH of rumen liquor falling within a range of 5.2 to 5.9. A total of 102 dairy cows were screened for SARA and the prevalence was found to be 19.61 per cent. Risk factors identified were age, mode of feeding water, feeding of paddy straw, hotel garbage and cotton seed cake (CSC). Age of the animals has got significant influence on occurrence of SARA (p=0.035). The animals aged 2-5 years have got significantly lesser occurrence of SARA when compared to other groups (p=0.013). Mode of feeding water to the cows was found to have significant association with occurrence of SARA (p=0.002). The prevalence of SARA in cows fed with communal water feeding and individual feeding were found to be 13.72 and 5.88 per cent, respectively. Feeding of paddy straw and hotel garbage to the cows showed significant association with prevalence of SARA (p=0.001). There was a significant difference in feeding and not feeding cotton seed cake in relation to the development of SARA (p=0.010). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the difficulty in distinguishing transparent and white foreign fibers from seed cotton in RGB images and in order to improve the recognition ability of deep learning (DL) algorithms for white, transparent, and multi-class mixed foreign fibers with different sizes in seed cotton, this paper proposes a method of combining hyperspectral imaging technology with a multi-module joint hierarchical residue network (MJHResNet). Firstly, a series of preprocessing methods are performed on the hyperspectral image (HSI) to reduce the interference of noise. Secondly, a double-hierarchical residual (DHR) structure is designed, which can not only obtain multi-scale information, but also avoid gradient vanishing to some extent. After that, a squeeze-and-excitation network (SENet) is integrated to reduce redundant information, improve the expression of model features, and improve the accuracy of foreign fiber identification in seed cotton. Finally, by analyzing the experimental results with advanced classifiers, this method has significant advantages. The average accuracy is 98.71% and the overall accuracy is 99.28%. This method has great potential for application in the field of foreign fiber identification in seed cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton seeds, as the main by-product of cotton, are not only an important raw material for edible oil and feed but also a source of biofuel. The quality of cotton seeds directly affects cotton planting and is closely related to the yield and fiber quality. However, the molecular mechanism governing cotton seed size remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the regulatory mechanisms of cotton seed size by focusing on two cotton genotypes, N10 and N12, which exhibit notable phenotypic variations across multiple environments. Developing seeds were sampled at various stages (5, 20, 30, and 35 DPA) and subjected to RNA-seq. Temporal pattern clustering and WGCNA on differentially expressed genes identified 413 candidate genes, including these related to sugar metabolism that were significantly enriched in transcriptional regulation. A genetic transformation experiment indicated that the overexpression of the GhUXS5 gene encoding UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase 5 significantly increased seed size, suggesting an important role of GhUXS5 in regulating cotton seed size. This discovery provides crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling cotton seed size, helping to unravel the complex regulatory network and offering new strategies and targets for cotton breeding to enhance the economic value of cotton seeds and overall cotton yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In breeding programs, stress memory in plants can develop drought stress tolerance. Memory stress, as an approach, can keep stress data by activating tolerance mechanisms. This research was conducted to evaluate some physiologically effective mechanisms in inducing memory drought stress in the seeds that were exposed to water stress three times in four treatments including rainfed, 33%, 66%, and 100% of field capacity (FC). After the production of the seeds, the third-generation seeds were placed under different irrigation treatments, seed and seedling traits, starch to carbohydrate ratio in seed, protein concentration and glutathione reductase were investigatied in a factorial format based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that percentage of changes from the lowest to the highest value for traits including seed vigor, seed endosperm weight, seed coat weight, accelerated aging, cold test, seedling biomass and seedling length were 25, 37, 65, 65, 55, 77, 55, 65 and 79, respectively and germination uniformity was 3.9 times higher than the lowest amount. According to the deterioration percentage, seed vigor and the percentage of seed germination in cold test data, it can be reported that seed production by 100% FC was not appropriate for rainfed plots. However, considering the the appropriate results in the percentage of germination for a cold test, germination uniformity percentage, and the lowest accelerated aging seeds, seed production under the rainfed conditions with 33% FC watering can be recommended. In-silico analysis was coducted on Glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes in Gossypium hirsutum. It is clear that GR has a Redox-active site and NADPH binding, and it interacts with Glutathione S transferase (GST). So, memory drought stress through inducing physiological drought tolerance mechanisms such as starch-to-carbohydrate ratio and GR can determine the suitable pattern for seed production for rainfed and low rainfall regions in a breeding program. Our study thus illustrated that seed reprduction under 33% FC equipped cotton with the tolerance against under draught stress from the seedling stage. This process is done through activating glutathione reductase and balancing the ratio of starch to carbohydrates concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the laboratory device for processing milled cotton seeds in an electric magnetic field with an extremely high frequency and the results of the experiment obtained are described. The volume of macro pores of the gourmets (from 1875 to 7500), processed at 2450 MGs, 300 W, at 12-14% humidity for 13-15 minutes, increased by an average of 2.0 – 2.2 times after ultra-high-frequency processing, and when comparing the acid and perekis number indicators of high gossipol cotton oil with oil obtained using traditional technology, compared with processing using frequency Beams has been shown to be more efficient than in the traditional method [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical harvesting has become crucial for cotton production in India due to increasing labor costs. This study aimed to identify suitable genotypes with moderate plant height and compact plant architecture for mechanization. Eight multilocation yield trials were conducted across central and southern India between 2019 and 2021. The combined ANOVA, LSD test, genotype plus genotype-environment interaction (GEE biplots) and correlation analysis was carried out using data from five genotypes for different plant architecture and yield traits. The results revealed significant variability (p = 0.01) in both plant height (PH) and seed cotton yield (SCY) among promising genotypes. Environmental factors had the most significant influence on PH (67.41%) and SCY (78.57%), followed by genotypes and genotype-environment interaction. Plant architecture traits and SCY were studied within the range of 75 to less than 140 cm plant height, which is suitable for mechanical harvesting. Surprisingly, a significant negative correlation (r = -0.42) was found between height and yield, which varied with years, genotypes, and location. Principal components PC1 and PC2 accounted for a remarkable 94.11% and 77.56% of the total variation in plant height and seed cotton yield, respectively. Utilizing GGE biplot analysis, genotype TVH 002 displayed high yield potential and short plant height with stability across multiple locations, making it an ideal choice for mechanized harvesting. Additionally, genotype RHCHD 1312 showed promise as a compact genotype. The study recommends the integration of these genotypes into breeding programs for mechanical harvesting in rainfed areas of central and southern India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Texas is expected to experience higher night and day temperatures and more extreme and erratic rainfall in the future. Along with the impacts of climate change, the majority of current cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) hectarage is expected to have less irrigation water available as the Ogallala aquafer continues to decline. Both of these realities suggest that many of Texas' cotton producers will return to dryland production which will require reducing input cost, for example, using genetically modified cultivars. Currently, conventional cotton planting seed are about 25% lower in cost per hectare than genetically modified cultivars. Currently, most cultivars offered for sale to Texas producers are transgenic with few conventional cultivars available. The public breeding programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Research develop germplasm with improved traits for private industry and conventional cultivars with yield potential for Texas environments, both irrigated and dryland. 'Tamcot H12' (Reg. no. CV‐148, PI 705604) was derived from a complex pedigree involving 'DP 491' (PI 618609), TAM 96WD‐18, TAM 91C‐95Ls, and 'DP Acala 90' (PVP 8100143). Tamcot H12 performed as well or better than most current cultivars in trials in Texas and across the US Cotton Belt. Tamcot H12 will provide producers with another conventional cotton variety. Core Ideas: Cost of upland cotton planting seed may continue to be a limiting factor of GM cultivar use in many areas of Texas with rainfall events becoming less predictable, resulting in moderate to severe drought during the growing season.Conventional upland cotton cultivars may become more popular because the reduced cost of planting seed relative to GM cultivars.Tamcot H12 offers competitive yield potential throughout the state of Texas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of cactus (Opuntia ficusindica) cladodes, Acacia saligna, wheat bran and cotton seed cake on growth, digestibility, intake and carcass characteristics of goats. A randomized complete block design was used in the experiment with 24 yearling central highland goats with an initial body weight of 15.6 - 16.1 kg. The same amount of grass hay (GH) + 150 gDM/head/day wheat bran (WB) was given to all animals. The experimental diets consisted of 80 gDM of cotton seed cake (CSC) as treatment 1 (T1); 45 gDM of CSC + 160 gDM of cactus cladodes (CC) as T2; 45g DM of CSC + 80 gDM of Acacia saligna (AS) as T3; and 45 gDM of CSC + 80 gDM of CC + 40 gDM of AS as T4 (per day per goat). Data were gathered on the goats' growth, digestibility, intake, and carcass of major organs, edible and nonedible organs. The consumption of dry matter and organic matter was higher in goats fed T2 and T4 than in the T1 group. The dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were higher in T4 and T3 goats when compared to T2 goats. Goats fed on T4 had higher hot carcass weight and dressing percentage on slaughter body weight basis than T2, T3, and T1 supplemented goats. Generally, the experimental diets improved goats' performance in descending order (T4 > T3 >T1 >T2). Supplementation of T4 (replacement of 35 gDM of cotton seed cake per day by 40 gDM of Acacia saligna and 80 gDM of cactus cladodes on dry matter bases) could be recommended to improve goat performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of the impurity rate in machine-picked seed cotton is crucial for precision agriculture. This study proposes a novel Cotton-YOLO-Seg cotton-impurity instance segmentation algorithm based on the you only look once version 8 small segmentation model (Yolov8s-Seg). The algorithm achieves precise pixel-level segmentation of cotton and impurities in seed cotton images and establishes a detection model for the impurity rate, enabling accurate detection of the impurity rate in machine-picked cotton. The proposed algorithm removes the Pyramid 4 (P4) feature layer and incorporates Multi-Scale Convolutional Block Attention (MSCBCA) that integrates the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) and Multi-Scale Convolutional Attention (MSCA) into the Faster Implementation of Cross Stage Partial Bottleneck with 2 Convolutions (C2f) module of the feature extraction network, forming a novel C2f_MSCBCA module. The SlimNeck structure is introduced in the feature fusion network by replacing the P4 feature layer with the small-target detection layer Pyramid 2 (P2). Additionally, transfer learning is employed using the Common Objects in Context (COCO) instance segmentation dataset. The analysis of 100 groups of cotton image samples shows that the Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) for impurity rate detection are 0.29%, 0.33%, and 3.70%, respectively, which are reduced by 52.46%, 48.44%, and 53.75% compared to the Yolov8s-seg model. The Precision (P), Recall (R), and mean Average Precision at an intersection over union of 0.5 (mAP@0.5) are 85.4%, 78.4%, and 80.8%, respectively, which are improved by 4.2%, 6.2%, and 6.4% compared to Yolov8s-seg model, significantly enhancing the segmentation performance of minor impurities. The Cotton-YOLO-Seg model demonstrates practical significance for precisely detecting the impurity rate in machine-picked seed cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: We determined the effects of increasing the dietary inclusion of whole cottonseed (WCS) on nutrient digestibility and the milk production responses of high-producing dairy cows. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows (mean ± SD; 52.7 ± 2.63 kg/d milk; 104 ± 23 DIM) were randomly assigned to treatment sequences in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Treatments were increasing doses of WCS at 0%, 8%, 16%, and 24% DM, with WCS replacing soybean meal and hulls to maintain similar diet nutrient composition (% DM) of NDF (32%), forage NDF (21%), starch (27%), and CP (17%). Total fatty acid (FA) content of each treatment was 1.70%, 2.96%, 4.20%, and 5.40% DM, respectively. Three preplanned contrasts were used to test the linear, quadratic, and cubic effects of increasing dietary WCS. Increasing dietary WCS from 0% to 24% DM quadratically influenced the intake of DM and NDF, with the highest value being the inclusion of 8% WCS, and intakes of 16- and 18-carbon, and total FA, with maximum values obtained up to 24% WCS. Increasing dietary WCS affected digestibility of DM (cubic) and NDF (quadratic), with the lowest values being the inclusion of 8% WCS. Increasing WCS increased 16-carbon digestibility (quadratic) but decreased digestibility of 18-carbon and total FA (both quadratic), with highest and lowest values for the inclusion of 24% WCS, respectively. Increasing dietary WCS quadratically increased absorbed 16- and 18-carbon, and total FA, with maximum values obtained for 24% WCS. Increasing dietary WCS quadratically increased yields of milk, milk fat, milk protein, milk lactose, 3.5% FCM, and ECM, and linearly increased BW gain. The source of milk FA was affected by dietary WCS, with a quadratic decrease in the yield of de novo and mixed milk FA and a quadratic increase in preformed milk FA. Increasing dietary WCS linearly increased trans-10 C18:1 milk FA content. As dietary WCS increased, plasma insulin linearly decreased, and plasma gossypol levels linearly increased. Despite the decrease in total FA digestibility, increasing dietary WCS from 0% to 24% DM increased FA absorption. Increasing the dietary inclusion of WCS up to 16% DM increased milk production responses and DM intake. Under the current dietary conditions, high-producing dairy cows benefited best from a diet containing an inclusion of 8% to 16% WCS in DM.

Abstract In breeding programs, stress memory in plants can develop drought stress tolerance. Memory stress, as an approach, can keep stress data by activating tolerance mechanisms. This research was conducted to evaluate some physiologically effective mechanisms in inducing memory drought stress in the seeds that were exposed to water stress three times in four treatments including rainfed, 33%, 66%, and 100% of field capacity (FC). After the production of the seeds, the third-generation seeds were placed under different irrigation treatments, seed and seedling traits, starch to carbohydrate ratio in seed, protein concentration and glutathione reductase were investigatied in a factorial format based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that percentage of changes from the lowest to the highest value for traits including seed vigor, seed endosperm weight, seed coat weight, accelerated aging, cold test, seedling biomass and seedling length were 25, 37, 65, 65, 55, 77, 55, 65 and 79, respectively and germination uniformity was 3.9 times higher than the lowest amount. According to the deterioration percentage, seed vigor and the percentage of seed germination in cold test data, it can be reported that seed production by 100% FC was not appropriate for rainfed plots. However, considering the the appropriate results in the percentage of germination for a cold test, germination uniformity percentage, and the lowest accelerated aging seeds, seed production under the rainfed conditions with 33% FC watering can be recommended. In-silico analysis was coducted on Glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes in Gossypium hirsutum. It is clear that GR has a Redox-active site and NADPH binding, and it interacts with Glutathione S transferase (GST). So, memory drought stress through inducing physiological drought tolerance mechanisms such as starch-to-carbohydrate ratio and GR can determine the suitable pattern for seed production for rainfed and low rainfall regions in a breeding program. Our study thus illustrated that seed reprduction under 33% FC equipped cotton with the tolerance against under draught stress from the seedling stage. This process is done through activating glutathione reductase and balancing the ratio of starch to carbohydrates concentration.

Background: Sudden temperature drops, resulting from extreme weather events, often occur during the boll-setting period of cotton in Xinjiang, China, causing decreased expression of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal proteins in cotton bolls. The precise threshold temperatures and durations that lead to significant changes in Cry1Ac endotoxin levels under low temperatures remain unclear. To address this, we investigated the effects of different temperatures and stress durations on Cry1Ac endotoxin levels in cotton bolls. In 2020–2021, two Bt transgenic cotton varieties, conventional Sikang1 and hybrid Sikang3, were selected as experimental materials. Various low temperatures (ranging from 16 to 20 °C) with different durations (12 h, 24 h and 48 h) were applied during the peak boll-setting period. Results: As the temperature decreased, the Cry1Ac endotoxin content in the boll shell, fiber, and seed exhibited a declining trend. Moreover, the threshold temperature which caused a significant reduction in Cry1Ac endotoxin content increased with the prolonged duration of low-temperature stress. Among the components of cotton bolls, seeds were most affected by low-temperature stress, with the threshold temperature for a significant reduction in Cry1Ac endotoxin content ranging from 17 °C to 19 °C. Correlation analysis indicated that low temperatures led to a decrease in protein synthesis capacity and an increase in degradation ability, resulting in reduced Cry1Ac endotoxin content. Pathway analysis revealed that both free amino acid and peptidase had significant negative effects on Cry1Ac endotoxin content. Conclusion: In summary, when the daily average temperature was ≤ 19 °C, implementing cultural practices to reduce free amino acid content and peptidase activity could serve as effective cold defense strategies for Bt cotton production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adapting organic farming to climate change is a major issue. Cotton yields in Mali are declining due to deteriorating climatic conditions, soil fertility, and poor management. This study aimed to improve organic cotton yield in Mali in the future climate with the optimal choice of compost type, date, and dose of application. Experimental data collected in 2021 from the Sotuba research station in Mali was used for calibration and evaluation of the crop model DSSAT CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton model using phenology, leaf area index, and seed cotton yield. Climate data from the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios of the GFDL-ESM2M model were used for future weather datasets for 2020-2039, 2040-2059, and 2060-2079. The model was able to simulate anthesis and maturity with excellent results, with nRMSE < 4%, and seed cotton yields moderately well, an nRMSE of 26% during calibration and 20.3% in evaluation. The scenario RCP8.5 from 2060 to 2079 gave the best seed cotton yields. Seed cotton yields with RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 were all better with the mid-May application period of small ruminant silo compost at 7.5 t/ha. In such conditions, more than 75% of the cases would produce more than 2000 kg/ha of seed cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton is a valuable industrial fiber crop grown in many regions worldwide. Four cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars, i.e., Ishonch, Navbakhor-2, C-6524, and Tashkent-6, and their F1-2 diallel hybrids’ cultivation comprised a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement and four replications during 2019–2021 in the Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan. Significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences were notable among the parental genotypes and their F1 hybrids for boll weight and seed cotton yield. The parental cultivars Ishonch and Navbakhor-2 and their F1 diallel hybrids showed more stability and performed better than other genotypes. Broad-sense heritability estimates were the highest for boll weight and seed cotton yield while lowest for bolls per plant. Based on this trait’s yield, heritability, and variability, the inbreeding depression was positive in the F2 populations Ishonch × Navbakhor-2 and Navbakhor-2 × Tashkent-6. According to yield, the cultivars Ishonch, Navbakhor-2, and Tashkent-6 were outstanding as positive donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digestive midgut protease activity in fifth instar larvae (L5) of Helicoverpa armigera was investigated under controlled conditions, where, an artificial diet containing different concentrations (0.005 µg/g - 0.3 µg/g) of Cry1Ac (Crystalline ä-endotoxin from class A, subclass c) toxin was fed. Here, the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton seeds were used as Cry1Ac toxin source that was determined using Envirologix ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) kit. The results showed an increase in the general midgut proteases as well as specific proteases activity linked to enzymes such as trypsin-, chymotrypsin-, elastase-, and leucine aminopeptidase-like with the increasing toxin content of the diet. However, carboxypeptidase-A and carboxypeptidase-B protease activity remained unaltered as a consequence of the incorporation of Cry1Ac toxin in the diet, which is also reported to be absent in midgut of H. armigera as evident in the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defatted cottonseed meal (DCSM), a byproduct of the cotton industry, is highly regarded for its high protein content, making it a source of nutrients in animal feed. Traditional physical and chemical treatments of DCSM can lead to a reduction in nutrient content and the presence of residual organic solvents. Probiotic fermentation of DCSM offers several advantages, including degradation of anti-nutritional factors, an increase in nutrient content, and production of beneficial metabolites. This study employed probiotic fermentation of DCSM using a probiotic microbe collection composed of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Enterococcus faecium, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. This fermentation process significantly enhanced the nutritional quality of DCSM. Specifically, the contents of crude protein, free amino acid, total phosphorus, and moisture increased by 1.14-fold, 1.14-fold, 1.24-fold, and 3-fold, respectively. In the meanwhile, there was a substantial reduction in the content of dry matter, crude ash, and crude fat, with decreases of 27.83%, 25.74%, and 88.23%, respectively. Probiotic fermentation of DCSM resulted in an overall enhancement of the palatability of DCSM. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of mixed probiotic fermentation as a promising approach for improving the nutritional quality of DCSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present studied carried out at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Cotton Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, during 2022 and 2023 growing summer, during 2022 growing season, six cotton varieties of cotton belong to (Gossypium barbadense L.) were sowing and crossed in a half diallel mating design produce 15 F1 hybrids. The F1 hybrids and parents growing in 2023 season at randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The results showed that the squares of the genotypes, parents as well as crosses were highly significant for all traits studied with boll weight trait parents. The parental genotypes Giza 88 and Giza 92 gave significant (desirable) GCA effects for most fiber properties. Karshenky and Australy 13 showed GCA positive significant effects of most yield traits, this direction is desirable. Both of Giza 88 x Giza 86 and Australy 13 x Karshenky crosses recorded significant (desirable) SCA effects for most yield and fiber properties. Desirable relative to midand better-parent for some yield traits were found for the crosses, Giza 88 x Giza 86 and Australy 13 x Karshenky while, the crosses Giza 92 x Pima S7 and Giza 92 x Karshenky indicated desirable for some studied fiber properties. Non-additive genetic variances were larger than the additive genetic variance with respect to all traits studied. The broad sense heritability of seed cotton yield per plant was the highest value (93.91%) while the lowest value was recorded to boll weight (50.51%). Generally, Karshenky and Australy 13 could be used in breeding programs for improving high yielding varieties, while Giza 88 and Giza 92 could be considered as excellent parents for breeding programs to produce new varieties characterized with best fiber properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, sugarcane waste molasses (SWM) was utilized as a raw component to prepare an eco-friendly plywood adhesive. The optimization of preparation conditions, examination of thermal curing behavior, and exploration of the adhesive's curing mechanism were investigated. Based on the results, the optimal preparation conditions were determined as follows: the SWM is mixed with dephenolized cottonseed protein (DCP), a mass ratio of 2:1 between SWM and DCP, with a concentration of 75% and the addition of 7.5 wt% ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP). Additionally, the optimal hot-pressing condition involved a temperature of 190°C for 10 min. Under these optimized conditions, the adhesive exhibited a maximum wet shear strength of 1.14 MPa, successfully meeting the China National Standard GB/T9846-2015. The curing behavior of the adhesive was investigated by analyzing thermal analysis and measuring the insoluble mass proportion. As the heating temperature and heating time increased, the insoluble mass proportion gradually rose. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) showed that the thermal decomposition reaction temperature was 146.4°C and 202.05°C, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that endothermic reaction occurred at 135.8°C, exothermic reaction occurred at 227.8 °C. Through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), it was observed that the addition of ADP promotes the conversion of sucrose hydrolyzed products into furan compounds and reacts with proteins. Moreover, the amino and carboxyl groups of proteins react with the phenol hydroxyl groups of lignin to form C–N and C–O bonds, a polymer with a cross-linked network is formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gossypol, a phytotoxicant in cotton-seed oil, has been found to sensitize Tb(III)-luminescence in a supramolecular hydrogel. Based on this observation, a paper-based sensor has been developed to detect gossypol with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.9 nM. This is the first report of water-based detection with the highest sensitivity involving turn-on time-gated luminescence. This method was also able to sense gossypol in commercial crude cotton-seed oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Understanding ASEAN Agricultural Production, Consumption, and Trade Potential" provides an in-depth analysis of agricultural production, consumption, and trade potential in ASEAN countries. It highlights the significant contributions of ASEAN countries to global production and consumption of various agricultural products, such as rice, oil, cotton, chicken meat, and oilseeds. The article emphasizes the importance of expanding access to foreign markets, particularly in the ASEAN region, to support farm income and rural communities. It also discusses the potential for increased agricultural trade between the United States and ASEAN countries based on production and consumption trends. [Extracted from the article]

The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera Hubner, is one of the most cosmopolitan key insect pests and its rearing is vital for integrated pest management. The goal of this research is to assess three diverse artificial diets for H. armigera rearing using common bean seed flour, chickpea seed flour or cotton seed flour, as basic constituent, along with other ingredients in similar proportions. Cotton flour-based artificial diet offered higher viability in egg, larva, prepupa, pupa and adult stages, and less developmental time (38.25 days) than chickpea flour-based (43.60 days) and bean flour-based (48.00 days) diets. Neonates reared on the cottonseed flour-based diet obtained excellent nutrition because cotton seeds have high contents of protein, oil, fibre and starch along with other minor compounds, compared to chickpea and bean seed-derived flours. The net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase on the cotton-based diet were also superior for successive generations. It is concluded that although H. armigera larvae developed faster on cotton flour-based diet, results obtained on chickpea and bean flour-based diets tested can also be considered reasonably adequate for short and long periods of mass rearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of pre-sowing electromagnetic treatments of seeds from different crops are the subject of intensive research by many authors such as alternative technologies for ecologically clean agriculture. The aim of this research was to study the effect of pre-sowing electromagnetic treatment on the accumulation of fresh mass of root and sprout of seeds, stored for one and two years before treatment, of five Bulgarian cotton varieties -- Chirpan-539, Trakia, Helius, Natalia and Nelina. The seeds of each variety were treated in five electromagnetic fields, with different intensity and duration of exposure. It was found that the selected values of controllable factors had stimulating effect on the mass of sprout, root and total mass of sprout and root of treated seeds. The sprout mass increased by 8.9-13.8%, the root mass -- by 6.1-11.3%. The sprout and root total mass increased by 7.8-12.7% and the best treatment options were 1 [U = (8...5) kV, τ = (15...35) s] and 4 [U = (6...3) kV, τ = (5...25) s]. The two-year period of storage, as a separate factor, determined significantly lower mass of sprout by 8.5%, of root by 10.1% and total mass of sprout and root by 8.9%, compared to the one-year period of storage. Compared to the corresponding untreated control of each storage period, the electromagnetic impact had a stimulating effect in both storage periods: for the mass of sprout -- by 11.4-16.8% in options 1 and 5.3-10.4% in options 1 and 4, respectively for one- and two-year storage of seeds; for the root mass -- by 5.1-16.1% in options 1 and 4 and by 2.7-8.1% in option 4; for the total mass of sprout and root -- by 10.8-16.5% in option 1 and 4.5-9.1% in option 4. Variants with significant higher values than the control variant -- Chirpan-539 variety, untreated seeds stored for one year, were reported only for seeds stored for one year. Higher sprout mass was found for Chirpan-539 variety, in option 5 [U = (4...) kV, τ = (5...25)s], while higher root mass and sprout and root total mass were found for Nelina variety, in options 1 [U = (8...5) kV, τ = (15...5)s], 2 [U = (6...3)kV, τ = (15...35)s] and 3 [U = (8...5) kV, τ = (5...25)s]. Compared to the corresponding of each variety and storage period untreated control stimulating effect of pre-sowing electromagnetic treatment was observed for all varieties, in both storage periods, except Nelina variety, in this variety positive results were only in one-year storage of seeds. Helius variety reacted most strongly positively to the pre-sowing electromagnetic treatment for the mass of sprout and the total mass of sprout and root of the seeds stored for one year. The total mass of sprout and root increased the most in options 1, 2 and 4 -- by 38.6-48.5% compared to the relevant control. Variety Nelina reacted most positively for the mass of root during the one-year storage of seeds, in options 1, 2 and 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Select this text, right click and click Merge Formatting (B) from the paste options. Two hundred (200) Coptodon zillii and Oreochromis niloticus (10g ± 0.13) were subjected to an investigation to uncover the efficiency of crude and synthetic gossypol as reproduction bio-control agents. The treatment groups were five (5) altogether with twenty (20) fish per treatment (male and female 1:1). Each treatment was replicated twice and subjected to the same condition. The fish were fed with five isoproteic experimental diets of 37.5% crude protein for 90 days. In the diets, cottonseed meal (CSM) and synthetic gossypol (GSP) were used to replace soyabean meal (SBM) at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively. Histological sections of testes in O. niloticus and C. zillii showed a decline in spermatozoa with increasing inclusion of crude CSM and synthetic gossypol. Diets four and five which has the highest inclusion of both crude and synthetic gossypol (327g CSM/Kg diet, 436g CSM/Kg diet) exhibited spent and empty seminiferous lumina. Ovarian section in C. zillii and O. niloticus showed distortion with increasing inclusion rates of crude CSM and synthetic gossypol; to the point that most of the eggs were still in their early phases of embryonic formation after 90 days trial with prominent vitellogenic stages for 0% 0g (CSM/kg diet) and 25% (109 CSM/kg diet); atretic oocytes for 75% (327g CSM/Kg diet) and 100% (436g CSM/Kg diet). Milt and egg production of both O. niloticus and C. zillii all declined as the dietary inclusion of crude and synthetic gossypol increased. Overall results showed that dietary crude and synthetic gossypol destroyed the spermatocytes and oocytes; lumina was devoid of spermatozoa, subsequent reproduction was inhibited; the eggs were unable to finish their cytological cycles which would have led to fertilization. There were fewer offspring in crude gossypol-based diet treatments and there was no reproduction at all in all the synthetic gossypol-based diet treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Several cottonseed varieties are cultivated in different countries. Each variety produces a different amount of gossypol as a natural toxic compound. The rising interest in cottonseed products (oil and feed) increases the demand for establishing simple methods for gossypol detection. Silica gel-based methods are ideal for its isolation, purification, and characterization. Silica gel-based methods are variants and can be used as simple methods for tracking plants' compounds. In this study, gossypol was isolated, characterized, and purified as gossypol acetic acid in the form of yellow crystals. Methods used for its characterization were TLC, preparative TLC, silica gel column, UV/IR spectrophotometer, and HPLC (robust spherical silica gel). A comparative study between its amount in both the Egyptian and Chinese varieties was performed. Under the experimental conditions, the Egyptian's cottonseed contains 8.705 gm/kg, while the Chinese's cottonseed contains 5.395 gm/kg. The TLC used in this study proved to be fast, accurate, and inexpensive. It can be used for gossypol acetic acid evaluation and quantification. Additionally, using TLC as a pre-purification step will give a pre-judgment for the sample's purity and quality. This step will protect the expensive HPLC silica gel-based column from any unexpected impurities. During each step, the silica gel itself could be simply removed by paper filtration. Collectively, the different silica gel-based methods as well as the other used methods are recommended for better Gossypol acetic acid isolation, purification, and characterization, as well as for maintaining HPLC columns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most devastating pest besides bollworm in cotton is stem weevil, Pempherulus affinis which decreases the cotton productivity as it affects the plant survival, boll production and seed cotton yield. The purpose of the investigation was to understand the infestation stage of the crop prone to heavy yield loss. The field experiment was carried out at Bannari, Erode district, India during summer 2021 to assess the yield loss caused by P. affinis in protected condition namely IPM module 1, IPM module 2 farmers' practice and unprotected condition. The results revealed that among the infested plants the mean survival of plants, boll production and yield was maximum in IPM module 2 of 90.10%, 20.90 bolls/plant and 29.93 g/plant respectively followed by farmers' practice with 89.25%, 11.37 bolls/plant and 29.17 g/plant respectively and the unprotected condition recorded the least mean survival of plants (82.25%), boll production (9.34 bolls/plant) and yield (23.87 g/plant). There was no significant difference among the treatments pertaining to mean survival of plants in healthy plants which recorded 100% survival. The mean number of bolls produced from healthy plants (at harvest) were high in IPM module 2 (20.90 bolls/plant) followed by farmers' practice which registered 19.87 bolls/plant while untreated plot recorded only 15.60 bolls/plant. The mean yield recorded from the healthy plants (at harvest) was 57.64 g/plant followed by farmers' practice (55.88 g/plant). The minimum yield of 39.24 g/plant was obtained in unprotected condition from healthy plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is one of the top economic crops in South Carolina, and growers make many important decisions prior to planting each year including variety selection, planting date, seed size, and seeding rate. As input costs continue to rise, greater detailed information is needed so that growers can make better informed decisions for their individual operations. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of seed size, seeding rate, and planting date on the growth, development, lint yield, and fiber quality for cotton grown in South Carolina. Two seed sizes large (≤9460 seed kg−1) and small (≥12,100 seed kg−1) were planted at four seeding rates (61,775; 86,485; 111,195; and 135,905 seeds ha−1) on two different planting dates (early [late April/early May] and late [late May/early June]) in 2020, 2021, and 2022 in Florence and in 2020 and 2021 in Blackville, SC. Data collection included stand counts, biomass at multiple growth stages, plant height, lint yield, fiber quality, and overall net returns. Results showed no difference in lint yield for any of the factors in either location in 2020; however, the small‐seeded variety lint yield was 20% more than the large‐seeded variety in Florence in 2021 and 2022 and 5% higher in Blackville in 2021. In Florence, seeding rates over 100,000 seed ha−1 resulted in higher lint yield than the lower two seeding rates. In both locations, delaying planting until after May 22 increased lint yield by approximately 15% in 2021 and 2022. The large‐seeded variety consistently had greater dry biomass (12%–52% greater) than the small‐seeded variety, indicating that it produced larger, more vigorous seedlings. While seed size may not be a reliable predictor of lint yield, it has proven to be an accurate predictor of seedling vigor. Therefore, it may be beneficial to plant a high‐yielding, larger seed size variety when unfavorable planting conditions are expected. Core Ideas: Seed size may not correlate with lint yield but seems to correlate with seedling vigor.It may be beneficial to plant a high‐yielding, larger seed size variety during unfavorable planting conditions.Delaying planting until after May 22 led to an increase in lint yield in both locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study quantifies the effects of wide row spacing on lint yield, yield components, and fiber quality of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). An experiment was conducted in Tifton, GA in 2021 and 2022, where cotton was planted in six replications of 91‐, 122‐, 152‐, and 183‐cm row spacings. Following defoliation, 1.8 m was hand harvested from each plot, and boll density plant−1 and density ha−1 were determined for sympodial and monopodial branches. Additional measurements included fruit and lint yield distribution assessments and intra‐boll yield components including seed cotton weight boll−1, seed index, seed boll−1, lint weight seed−1, seed surface area (SSA), fiber density, and single fiber weight. Lint yield was reduced 20% in the 183‐cm row spacing compared to the 91‐cm row spacing. The 91‐cm rows had the lowest number of sympodial bolls plant−1 with 152‐ and 183‐cm rows demonstrating a 24%–28% increase in sympodial bolls plant−1. Sympodial bolls ha−1 were reduced 22% in the 183‐cm row spacing compared to the 91‐cm row spacing. There were no differences in bolls ha−1 or lint yield ha−1 with respect to monopodial growth. There were no differences in seed cotton weight boll−1, seeds boll−1, fiber density, single fiber weight, or turnout. Seed index and SSA were increased in the 183‐cm row spacing. Lint weight seed−1 was reduced in the 91‐cm row spacing. Core Ideas: Cotton produced in 152‐ and 183‐cm row spacings produces more sympodial bolls plant−1 than traditional 91‐cm rows.Sympodial bolls ha−1 were reduced in 183‐cm row spacings as compared to 91‐cm row spacings.With a reduction in sympodial bolls ha−1, lint yield is sacrificed in the 183‐cm row spacing.Wide row spacing improved fruit retention but did not affect lint yield.Even with more monopodial bolls plant−1 in the wider rows, there are no differences in monopodial bolls ha−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-State fermentation (SSF) is a valuable process used for the enhancement of the nutritional profile of agro-industrial by-products. The main objective of the present study concerns the exploitation of a mixture consisting of Cottonseed Cake (CSC) and Lathyrus clymenum pericarp (LCP) at a ratio of 80–20% w/w, which was utilized as substrate for the initiated by Pleurotus ostreatus SSF process. The final goal is the improvement of their nutritional value and the parallel reduction in their gossypol content. The obtained results revealed a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in protein content by 34.91%, while 1,3-1,6 β-glucans exceeded a 5-fold statistically significant increment (p < 0.05) at Day 11. Furthermore, lignin was reduced significantly (−26.71%) at Day 11. Free gossypol's presence was lowered by 12.45%, while SSF presented a profound effect concerning the total gossypol level since the latter underwent a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) that exceeded 9-fold at Day 11. The study herein highlights SSF's efficiency as a potential means to reduce free and total gossypol content with a parallel upgrade of its nutritional value. The fermentation outcome reveals its potential as a feed supplement and contributes to the reduction in the environmental footprint within the framework of a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has a economic and strategic importance that provides raw materials to the textile sector. Efforts are being made to increase cotton yield and fiber quality through breeding studies carried out in the world and in Türkiye. It is necessary to determine the yield and yield criteria of the genotypes to be included in the breeding programs and to determine their superiority compared to the control varieties. In this research carried out for this purpose, 165 cotton genotypes were tested to determine yield and yield components. The trial was carried out in 2019 in the experimental area of Siirt University Faculty of Agriculture, Field Crops Department, in 4 blocks according to the Augmented trial design, and 165 genotype materials, including 160 cotton genotypes and 5 control varieties (Stoneville 468, BA 119, BA 440, Edessa, Lima) was used as plant material. In the study, seed cotton yield, plant height, number of monopodial and sympodial branches, number of nodes and number of bolls were examined. Results showed that the highest seed cotton yield were obtained from MNH-786, Dpl-5540-85-subokra and Mex 123 cotton genotypes and that these genotypes showed the highest values than the superior control variety. Deltapine 5816, Stoneville 213 and CIM-70 genotypes were found to be promising for plant height, VH 260, Stoneville 213 and Tamcot Sphinx for sympodial branches, and Deltapine 905, NIAB 777, Tonia and Stoneville 213 genotypes for boll number. The findings showed that there is a wide genetic variability among cotton genotypes in terms of yield and yield component, genotypes with ideal values in terms of desired characteristics can be used as parents in cotton breeding program and new cotton genotypes suitable for the textile sector can be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economical and effective weed control in cotton can succeed by breeding IMI-tolerant genotypes. For this purpose, we treated seeds with gamma rays at different doses and sprayed the plants with imazamox in M1-M5 generations. Thirty-three M4 lines in 2020 and seventeen M5 lines in 2021 with two comparative varieties were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. M4 lines generally had superior fiber properties than standard varieties. We transferred 17 M4 lines, superior in terms of yield, ginning out-turn and fiber quality, to the M5 generation. All M5 lines exhibited finer fibers than comparative varieties. Seed cotton yield and ginning out-turn of eight M5 lines were superior to the comparative varieties. Five IMI-tolerant genotypes with high yield and favourable fiber quality were transferred to further generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the cultivars' performance is an important step in the cotton breeding process. Therefore, we tested the yield, fiber quality and within-boll yield components of genotypes, and associations among observed characters were estimated. Ten cotton genotypes inc., Bomba, Özbek 100, Ramses, May 455, Bir 949, Fiona, Şahin 2000, Sahra, Sasha and Eva, were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications in 2022. The highest seed cotton yield was recorded in Sasha and Bomba genotypes. Ramses performed the higher ginning out-turn (47.70%) and favorable fiber fineness (4.62 mic.). Bir 949 (32.65 mm), Ramses (31.49 mm) and Sasha (31.31 mm) for fiber length; Sasha (35.18 g tex-1 ) and Sahra (34.08 g tex-1 ) for fiber strength exhibited desirable performances. The highest relative leaf water content (%) as a drought indicator was recorded in Ramses (67.79), Fiona (67.45), Şahin 2000 (65.25) and Bomba (65.11). The number of fibers per seed ranged from 10.82 thousand (Özbek 100) to 13.00 thousand (Bir 949). It was concluded that it seemed difficult to associate the seed cotton yield, fiber quality and relative leaf water content. Therefore, the genotypes in which all three traits are optimized should be emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein palmitoylation, the most common and the only reversible post-translational lipid modification following protein translation, plays a pivotal role in the biochemical and physiological processes of both animals and plants. DHHC proteins, enriched with DHHC (Asp-His-His-Cys) domains, serve as catalyst for protein palmitoylation. However, research on DHHC in cotton remains scarce. This study conducted a systematic characterization and bioinformatics analysis on G. arboreum, G. raimondii, G. hirsutum, and G. barbadense, detecting 38, 37, 74, and 74 DHHC genes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis categorized the DHHC gene family into six subgroups, consistent with previous evolutionary studies in Arabidopsis and rice. A further examination of protein structure revealed a correlation between genetic relatedness, structural similarity, and functional identity. Cis-element analysis identified elements predominantly associated with light response, stress, growth and development, and plant hormones. The integration of cotton seed development transcriptome, tissue expression pattern analysis, and population transcriptome data collectively suggests that Ghir_A05G027650 and Ghir_D05G027670 are promising candidate genes influencing seed development in upland cotton. Conversely, Gbar_A04G010750 and Gbar_A12G020520 emerge as potential candidates affecting both seed and fiber development in sea island cotton. These findings lay down a theoretical foundation for delving into the functional diversity of DHHC genes in cotton, thereby paving the way for the development of new breeding strategies and the optimization of cotton seed and fiber production, ultimately contributing to improved crop yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing awareness of plastic pollution in the environment and the accumulation of microplastics in water, a significant amount of research and development is ongoing to replace the synthetic plastics in packaging and coatings. In this work, we explored the blends of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and washed cottonseed meal (CSM, consisting mostly of cottonseed protein) as agro-based, biodegradable, and sustainable alternatives to plastics. Glycerol was found to be a suitable plasticizer for these blends. The blends of CMC/CSM were produced as single-layer films from 50 to 90 μm in thickness, consisting of different proportions of the components and plasticizer. The evaluated properties included opacity, water vapor permeability, mechanical properties, thermogravimetric analysis, moisture sorption analysis, and water swelling test. Higher percentages of CSM in the blend resulted in higher opacity and lower water vapor permeation rates. The mechanical strength waned with lower levels of CMC. Possible applications for these blends include their use as water-soluble food packaging and coatings and as dissolvable bags and pouches for detergents and agrochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of removing iron from mineral premix before calving on the productive performance and health status of Holstein dairy cows during transition period. The ninety multiparous Holstein dairy cows entered the experiment -21 days before the expected calving and were randomly assigned to 3 experimental treatments. Treatments included: 1) control treatment: recipient of mineral supplement with iron (to supply iron requirement in the amount of 15 mg/kg; n = 30); 2) treatment without iron: recipient of mineral supplement without iron (n=30); 3) without supplemental iron treatment with cottonseed: recipient of mineral supplement without iron and 4.6% of cottonseed in the diet (n=30). Removing iron from mineral supplements with and without cottonseed had no significant effect on milk production, percentage and amount of milk fat, as well as the amount of milk protein. The somatic cell count (SCC) in the control treatments, without supplemental iron and without supplemental iron with cottonseed, were 471.48, 338.80 and 155.77 (10³ per ml), respectively, which significantly decreased in the treatment without supplemental iron with cottonseed. Body weight changes after calving were also affected by experimental treatments. Removing iron from the mineral supplement along with cottonseed reduces the incidence of hypocalcemia. Total birth weight of both male and female calves, body length, hearth girth and days of diarrhea showed a significant difference between the treatments. Overall, the removal of supplemental iron along with cottonseed reduced the SCC and also improved the health status of cows and their calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preemergence herbicides (PRE) have become integral for weed control in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), especially with the prevalence of glyphosate‐resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.). However, PRE herbicides have the potential to injure cotton seedlings. Previous research has shown that a larger seed size can compensate for early season stresses which could mitigate potential PRE herbicide injury. In this study, we evaluated growth and yield of two cotton varieties with different seed sizes (large and small) in response to three PRE herbicides alone and in combination. Percent visual injury, biomass, plant heights, stand counts, lint yield, and fiber quality were obtained to make comparisons between seed sizes and PRE treatments. In both years, the large‐seeded variety had a higher biomass at 3‐leaf stage. However, both varieties had "grown out" of the herbicide injury at 42 days after planting and the early season vigor of the larger seed did not result in higher lint yield. The small‐seeded variety had greater yield in both years of the study. This may be due to the genetics or yield potential of the small‐seeded variety, or bolls containing smaller seeds typically have a greater number of seeds with more opportunity for lint production. Cotton treated with diuron had the most visual injury and decreased biomass. The results from this study will allow growers to make more informed decisions with regards to seed size, vigor, and PRE herbicide choices. If crop injury is likely, a larger seeded cotton variety may mitigate potential early season injury; however, seed size did not have an impact on final lint yield. Plain Language Summary: Cotton seedlings are slow to establish after emergence. Soil applied or preemergence herbicides can impact cotton seed early growth. Larger seed sizes tend to grow faster and can reduce the injury potential from these herbicides. Field studies were conducted to determine if a larger cotton seed can mitigate the effects of early season soil applied herbicide injury. The larger seed variety grew larger than the smaller seed variety during the first three weeks after emergence. However, these size differences were not apparent later in the season. The small‐seed variety yielded higher than the large‐seeded variety. The larger seed did offer more resilience against soil herbicide injury, but those differences were carried throughout the study. Growers should consider these factors when selecting a variety or a soil residual herbicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the limitation of speed in the operation of air-suction cotton precision seeding devices, a new crawler-type precision on-film seeding device was designed using an extended duckbill hole-forming device to produce hole-forming belts and lateral seed collection. Coupling simulation of seeding, and analysis of drag force and movement speed of cotton seeds were conducted on EDEM-CFD. A mechanical model of the operation was established, and the effects of the suction hole diameter, pressure relief block length, and wind pressure on seeding performance were analyzed. Regression models between influencing factors and seeding performance indices were established using response surface methodology. The test data were analyzed using Design Expert 10.0.3. The influence rules for each factor on seeding performance were established. The factors affecting the seeding qualified index exhibited the following order: air pressure > pressure relief block length > suction hole diameter. The optimization goals included defining the maximum value of a qualified single-seed index and the minimum value of the missing index, and the best parameter combination was obtained based on a suction hole diameter of 3.624 mm, pressure relief block length of 63.369 mm, and wind pressure of 3.797 kPa. According to the actual test conditions, the parameters were revised to include a suction hole diameter of 3.6 mm, a relief block length of 63.4 mm, and wind (air) pressure of 3.8 kPa for verification tests. The actual qualified single-seed index is 94.87% ± 0.98 %, the missing index is 1.45% ± 0.32%, and the multiple index is 3.68% ± 0.62%. The difference from the predicted value is within 5%, indicating that this study can provide a reference for the structural design and optimization of crawler-type on-film precision cotton seeding devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]