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Storage lipids and proteins in cottonseed have important industrial values and carbohydrate metabolism is the basis for the biosynthesis of oil and protein in cottonseed. In order to investigate the effects of potassium (K) fertilizer on carbohydrate metabolism of cottonseeds in two cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars with different K sensitivities, a two-year field experiment was conducted with a low K-tolerant cultivar (Simian 3) and a low K-sensitive cultivar (Siza 3) under three K levels (0, 150 and 300 kg K 2 O ha −1 ). Results showed that boll number and seed index were higher in the K application treatments (150 and 300 kg K 2 O ha −1 ) than in the 0 kg K 2 O ha −1 , resulting in high cottonseed yield. Embryo weight was increased by K application, but seed coat weight was not influenced. K application did not change protein content, but markedly increased oil and non-structural saccharide contents, and K concentration was positively correlated with oil and non-structural carbohydrate contents. In addition, higher non-structural carbohydrate content in the K application treatments than in the 0 kg K 2 O ha −1 was attributed to higher contents of starch, sucrose and fructose, and sucrose increased to a greater extent than other carbohydrates with K application. Higher fructose content in the K application treatments was closely related to higher sucrose synthase (SuSy) and acid invertase activities. Compared with Simian 3, the sensitivity of Siza 3 to K was evidenced in the following ways: (1) boll number, cottonseed yield, embryo biomass, and the seed coat to embryo ratio were increased more by K application for Siza 3 than Simian 3; (2) oil and carbohydrate accumulations in embryo were more responsive to K concentration in Siza 3 than Simian 3; (3) the increases in the contents of sucrose, starch and fructose and the activities of enzymes (SuSy and acid invertase) caused by K application were larger in Siza 3 than Simian 3; (4) the increases in sucrose phosphate synthase and alkaline invertase activities resulting from K application was only detected in Siza 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opportunity to increase agricultural areas is limited, so that increasing demands can be achieved by producing more products from existent agricultural areas. Second cropping is a sustainable practice in which more than one crop is grown consecutive on the same ground. This study was carried out to determine agricultural and technological properties of growing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as second crop on stubble of ridge planted wheat in Diyarbakır. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of Dicle University Agricultural Faculty as randomize complete block design with three replications. Eight cotton varieties (Berke, Lachata, BA 119, STV 468, STV 373, Özbek 100, Fantom and DP 396) were used as material. Wheat, planting on ridge, was harvested approximately 10 cm above the soil surface June 12, 2012. Straws of harvested wheat were removed from the experimental area. Same day cotton varieties were planted two rows on each ridge. The results indicated that STV 468, Fantom and Berke in terms of seed cotton yield; Fantom, Berke in terms of fiber length; DP 396 and Berke interms of fiber strength had given the highest values. However, our study suggested that whether very earlier cotton varieties (Özbek 100, Berke and Fantom) are grown, cotton will be grown as second crop after ridge planted wheat in the stubble seedling under Diyarbakır ecological condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton is the most important raw material for the textile industry in today's world. Cotton is an industrial crop for which the most chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used. The excess chemicals cause pollution of land and water resources, destruction of biodiversity, and therefore deterioration in human health. One of the most discussed topics in today's world is sustainable agriculture. The biggest obstacle for sustainable agriculture is the use of chemicals. The most important issue when it comes to sustainable agriculture is, undoubtedly, organic agriculture. Organic cotton farming does not use chemical inputs, which is most importance in terms of soil, plant and human health. This study was conducted that four organic and inorganic fertilizers application to two cotton varieties under Harran Plain organic farming and conventional conditions. The aim of this study was to determine that the differences between plant characteristics at cotton varieties produced under organic and conventional production systems, and would be useful in further work and help sustainable agriculture in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in atmospheric [CO2], temperature and precipitation under projected climate change scenarios may have significant impacts on the physiology and yield of cotton. Understanding the implications of integrated environmental impacts on cotton is critical for developing cotton systems that are resilient to stresses induced by climate change. The objective of this study was to quantify the physiological and growth capacity of two cotton cultivars under current and future climate regimes. This experiment compared the early-season growth and physiological response of an older (DP16, released in the 1970s) and a modern (Sicot 71BRF, released in 2008) cotton cultivar grown in ambient and elevated atmospheric [CO2] (CA, 400μLL-1 and CE, 640μLL-1 respectively) and two temperature (TA, 28/17°C and TE, 32/ 21°C, day/night, respectively) treatments under well-watered conditions. CE increased biomass and photosynthetic rates compared with CA, and TE increased plant biomass. Although limited by the comparison of one older and one modern cultivar, our results suggest that substantial potential may exist to increase breeding selection of cotton cultivars that are responsive to both TE and CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The structure of cellulose microfibrils in mature cotton fibres from three varieties – Gossypium hirsutum, G. barbadense and G. arboreum – has been investigated by a multi-technique approach combining small angle scattering techniques with spectroscopy and diffraction. Cellulose microfibrils present a Iβ-rich crystalline structure with limited surface disorder. Small angle scattering (SAXS and SANS) data have been successfully fitted using a core-shell model and the results obtained indicate that the cellulose microfibrils, formed by the association of 2–3 elementary fibrils, are composed of a ca. 2 nm impermeable crystalline core, surrounded by a partially hydrated paracrystalline shell, with overall cross-sections of ca. 3.6–4.7 nm. Different low levels of cell wall matrix components have a strong impact on the microfibril architecture and enable moisture penetration upon hydration. Furthermore, the higher amounts of non-cellulosic components in G. barbadense result in a less dense packing of cellulose microfibrils and increased solvent accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most wild and semi-wild species of the genus Gossypium are exhibit photoperiod-sensitive flowering. The wild germplasm cotton is a valuable source of genes for genetic improvement of modern cotton cultivars. A bi-parental cotton population segregating for photoperiodic flowering was developed by crossing a photoperiod insensitive irradiation mutant line with its pre-mutagenesis photoperiodic wild-type G. darwinii Watt genotype. Individuals from the F2 and F3 generations were grown with their parental lines and F1 hybrid progeny in the long day and short night summer condition (natural day-length) of Uzbekistan to evaluate photoperiod sensitivity, i.e., flowering-time during the seasons 2008–2009. Through genotyping the individuals of this bi-parental population segregating for flowering-time, linkage maps were constructed using 212 simple-sequence repeat (SSR) and three cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers. Six QTLs directly associated with flowering-time and photoperiodic flowering were discovered in the F2 population, whereas eight QTLs were identified in the F3 population. Two QTLs controlling photoperiodic flowering and duration of flowering were common in both populations. In silico annotations of the flanking DNA sequences of mapped SSRs from sequenced cotton (G. hirsutum L.) genome database has identified several potential ‘candidate’ genes that are known to be associated with regulation of flowering characteristics of plants. The outcome of this research will expand our understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms of photoperiodic flowering. Identified markers should be useful for marker-assisted selection in cotton breeding to improve early flowering characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourteen parents and 40 F1 crosses (genetic male sterility based) were evaluated in a line x tester fashion in Asiatic cotton (Gossypium arboreum). The statistical analysis was performed using the method developed by Kempthorne (1957) with the help of OPSTAT computer program (developed by CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Sufficient variability among hybrids and their parents was found as the mean squares of genotypes for all the traits including fibre quality were significant. The variance due to GCA was lower than SCA for boll number per plant, boll weight and GOT. For other traits like seed cotton yield, fibre length, micronaire value and strength, the SCA was higher which reflected the role of both additive and non-additive types of gene action (dominant or epistatic). GCA was significant for male parents CISA-6-165, CISA-6-187, CISA-6-209, CISA-6-295, CISA-6-350, CISA 7, CISA 8 and female parents CISA 2, DS 5, GAK 413A for seed cotton yield. Parents CISA-6-123, CISA-6-165, CISA-6-350, CISA 8, CISA 9, GAK 413A, CISG 20 showed significant GCA for fibre length and CISA-6-123, CISA-6-350, CISA 8 for micronaire value. Among 40 cross combinations, SCA was positively significant for seed cotton yield in 5 crosses, for boll number in 16 crosses, for boll weight in 9 crosses and for fibre length and micronaire in 16 crosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton cultivar BRS 368RF was developed by EMBRAPA in a partnership with the Bahia Foundation, aiming to create high-yielding germplasm by adding transgenic traits addressed to Brazilian Savanna (cerrado) of the Northeast and North regions. BRS 368RF is a midseason cultivar and has yield stability and transgenic tolerance to glyphosate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) is the major biotic constraint to cotton production in Pakistan and northwestern India. The disease is caused by monopartite begomoviruses in association with a specific DNA satellite, Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite. The virus-betasatellite complex is also frequently associated with another DNA satellite-like molecule; an alphasatellite. A quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay to detect all three components of the monopartite begomovirus/betasatellite/alphasatellite complex which causes CLCuD was established. This was used to investigate the relationship between symptoms and virus/satellite titre. Not surprisingly the analysis showed that, overall, there was a reasonable correlation between symptom severity and virus/satellite titre − more severe symptoms usually being associated with more virus/satellite. However, cotton plants were identified with no or very mild symptoms with relatively high virus/satellite titres and plants with severe symptoms but relatively low virus/satellite titres. This may be attributed to the resistance/susceptibility of the cotton variety − tolerant plants being able to sustain a relatively high virus/satellite titre whilst exhibiting mild symptoms. The usefulness of this qPCR procedure in the screening for resistance in cotton against CLCuD is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earias biplaga (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) forms part of the bollworm pest complex of cotton in South Africa. Genetically modified Bt cotton that expresses Cry insecticidal proteins successfully controls the bollworm complex in South Africa. Although many insecticides are registered for use against Lepidoptera on this crop, Bt sprays are not registered for control of E. biplaga. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis spray applications for the control of E. biplaga on non-Bt cotton and to compare the efficacy of sprays to that provided by Bt cotton. Bioassays were conducted in which cotton bolls of a non-Bt cotton cultivar (Delta Opal) were sprayed with different dosage rates of Dipel DF®, which contains the following insecticidal proteins: Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry2Aa and Cry2Ab. Bollgard® and Bollgard II® cotton which expresses Cry1Ac and both Cry 1Ac and Cry2Ab were used in the study. Neonate larvae were inoculated onto cotton bolls and survival observed 4, 7 and 10 days later. The Bt spray dosage rate recommended for control of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on groundnut and sunflower in South Africa was used in this study and provided between 77 and 88%control of E. biplaga after 10 days. Bt cotton provided 100%control after 10 days. This study provides baseline data on the susceptibility of E. biplaga against Bt cotton which can also be used for future monitoring of resistance evolution [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For assessing the adaptability of cotton cultivars (CIM-496 and NIAB-111) in Cotton-Wheat cropping system of Punjab under arid climate of Multan and response of different nitrogen (N) increments (50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1) for efficient and effective resource (nitrogen) utilization. The study was conducted in Multan during cotton growing season in 2014. Cultivars as well as nitrogen increments significantly contributed to the related traits of cotton growth, seed cotton yield and yield attributes. Increasing N increments reveals a positive association with biomass accumulation (growth), yield and yield associated components. Among N increments, 200 kg ha-1 achieved more number of bolls per plant (31.00), average weight per boll (3.48 g) and ultimately lead to higher seed cotton yield (2.42 t ha-1) as compared to other N rates (50, 100, 150 kg ha-1). Significant differences were also observed in cultivars, CIM-496 produced higher seed cotton yield than other under arid climate of Multan in Cotton-Wheat Cropping system. Empirical model was developed on the basis of field observations to compute the seed cotton yield beyond the application of 200 kg N ha-1. It is predicted that seed cotton yield increased with additional increment of nitrogen (>200 kg ha-1) but it is not significant change in yield per unit increment as compared with previous ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant density and optimum fertilization are two important agronomic practices to enhance productivity of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of high density planting (HDPS) and fertilization rate, especially their interactions, on yield, yield components of cotton varieties in sub-tropical India. Split-split plot design was adopted and replicated thrice. The main plots were assigned to low, medium and high plant densities (16.7, 13.3 and 11.1 plants/m2). Pre released cotton varieties TCH-1705 and LH- 2298 were tested in low, moderate and high rates of fertilizers recommended for the region (100, 125 and 150 %) in sub-sub plots. Significantly higher seed cotton yield (1148 kg/ha) was achieved in narrow inter row spaced at 60 cm over normal plant row spacing of 90 cm (1025 kg/ha). Compact genotype TCH-1705 was out yielded (1146 kg/ha) over LH 2298(1044 kg/ha). Application of fertilizers at higher rate improved seed cotton yield (1232 kg/ha) Leaf area index (3.8) and light interception (0.98) over blanket recommendation. The results of the study inferred that seed cotton yield improvement was possible under HDPS production system with compact varieties grown at narrow spacing and higher fertilizer dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural resistance in cottonseed to Aspergillus flavus infection has not been explored to date. A green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressing A. flavus strain was used to assess the resistance of seed from 35 cotton varieties from Gossypium arboreum, G. barbadense, and G. hirsutum. Mature cotyledons devoid of seed coat were wounded, inoculated, and assessed for innate resistance to A. flavus infection. Of the initial 35 varieties tested, we observed a range of resistance to infection in representatives of all three species. A subset of 15 representatives was further analyzed. Within this group, G. arboreum cultivar A2 186 and G. hirsutum cultivar SA 1582 were most resistant to fungal infection. The most susceptible cultivar in this group was G. hirsutum SA 1595. The remaining 12 representatives tested in the secondary screen (3 G. arboreum, 3 G. barbadense, and 6 G. hirsutum lines) exhibited intermediate resistance. We did not observe any relationship between species and resistance. Within each species, there was a range of responses to fungal infection. Future studies using this methodology to screen additional diploid and tetraploid cotton lines may enable us to identify naturally resistant germplasm that can be used to develop cotton with enhanced resistance to fungal infection. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

For the analysis of gamma rays-induced changes in different growth related end point using cotton as a model plants, the present study was designed. For this purpose, dry seeds of four cotton genotypes (Gomal-93, Bt-131, Bt-121 and Bt-CIM-602) were exposed to gamma rays with 10, 15, 20 and 25 Kilo Radium (KR) doses sourced from 60Co. The irradiated seed samples were assumed treated seeds while non-irradiated seeds of each genotype were used as control. Field experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replicates in the green house. Radiation effects were observed on some agronomic traits like Plant height, Number of branches plant-1, number of bolls plant-1, Fiber Fineness and yield of seed. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences for radiation treatments, genotypes and interaction for treatments × genotypes regarding plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of bolls plant-1 and yield of cotton seeds plant-1. Higher levels of gamma rays (20 and 25 KR) effected most of the parameters adversely. Significant reduction in plant height was observed for all the genotypes under the influence of the gamma rays treatments. Increased level of radiation posed adverse effect on number of branches plant-1. However, in case of Bt -121, branches were enhanced in treated as compared to control. Similarly, rise in the number of bolls in the seedlings of Gomal-93, Bt-131 and Bt -121 were observed which seeds were exposed to 20 KR dose of radiation. The findings of the present investigations revealed that irradiation of seeds with rays can improve the growth parameters in plants developed the irradiated seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of fibers per seed surface area (fiber density) is a selection criterion used to improve cotton fiber quality and yield simultaneously in cotton breeding programs. However, the parameters utilized to estimate fiber density are calculated from fiber quality attributes that are sensitive to environmental variations, especially fiber maturity. Fiber maturity is one of the most important fiber properties that influences other fiber properties such as individual fiber strength and length. In order to investigate the impact of within-plant fiber maturity on the estimates of fiber density, field experiments were conducted at Lubbock, Texas during the 2012, 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. A set of twelve upland cotton cultivars popular in the Texas High Plains were grown in a randomized complete block design with three field replications. Bolls were box picked at harvest to provide samples from each cultivar representing a range of fiber maturity. Fuzzy seeds obtained after roller ginning were acid-delinted, scanned on a flatbed scanner, and the WinSeedle Pro software was used to estimate the seed surface area (SSA). The number of fibers per seed was estimated using the fiber quality parameters provided by AFIS (Advanced Fiber Information System), the lint weight, and the number of seeds in the sample. The number of fibers per seed surface area was obtained by dividing the number of fibers per seed by the estimated SSA. In this study, cultivars with relatively less stable fiber maturity across the fruiting branches of the cotton plant tend to have more variable number of fibers per seed surface area estimates, suggesting that the calculation of the number of fibers per seed surface area may be biased. It is likely that the source of bias is fiber maturity (immature fibers are weak and tend to break during mechanical processing). Therefore, fiber maturity should be considered when screening lines based on estimated fiber density because low fiber maturity can lead to unreliable estimates of fiber density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding seed coat fragment (SCF) spiking results in advanced fiber information systems (AFIS) analysis of seed coat neps (SCN) in ginned cottons is confounded by the opening of entangled fibers in the instrument’s fiber individualizer. This may influence seed coat tissue fragmentation and recovery since a high degree of machine-fiber interaction is required to individualize entities for sensing. In this paper, slivers were pre-opened in the AFIS followed by manual cleaning, spiking, and AFIS analysis. A protocol was developed to spike the pre-opened slivers. The percent recovery of the spiked entity was dependent on the species and cultivar of the cotton used to prepare the slivers. The lowest recovery was with Pima fibers. Also, the recovery improved with the increase in length of the fibers biologically attached to the SCF surface. Delinted seed coat fragments produced the lowest recovery. Seed coat fragments carefully removed from ginned lint and added to the processed slivers gave the highest recovery. Averaged SCN recoveries from two AFIS units ranged from 26 to 100% (theoretical). These results helped to explain why the AFIS analysis of SCN counts in processed cotton is lower than by the microscopic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Тhe new brown cotton varieties Egea and Nike were achievements in a new direction in the Bulgarian cotton breeding. They belong to a new generation of varieties with naturally coloured fibre of high ecological and economic effects. The most valuable characteristic of the two new varieties was their longer fibre than that of Izabell variety approved as a standard for the coloured cotton. According to data of the Executive Agency for Variety Testing, Approbation and Seed Control, Egea variety in fiber length (modal 23.32 mm and staple 26.83 mm) surpassed the standard variety Izabell by 1.35 mm and 1.57 mm, and Nike variety was superior by 0.37 mm and 0.54 mm. As a result of the longer fiber they also are distinguished by better spinning characteristic. With these two varieties significant progress in improving the fiber quality of coloured cotton by selection has been made. By earliness, seed cotton yield, fiber lint percentage and lint yield, the varieties Egea and Nike were equal to Izabell variety or slightly superior to it. Concerning productivity they were close to the white cotton standards, seed cotton yields were only by 1.3-1.5% less than Chirpan-539 (standard for productivity), and by 0.6-0.9% than Avangard-264 (standard for fiber quality). They were inferior in fiber lint percentage and lint yield by 7.3 kg/da (8.9%) and 7.8 kg/da (9.6%) to Chirpan-539 and by 2.2% and 2.9% to Avangard-264. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant material consisted of twelve advanced cultivars of cotton i.e., FH-142, FH-Lalazar, FH- 444, FH-442, FH-312, FH-Noor, FH-Kakshan, FH-326, FSD-6/13, FSD 16 and ME, MN 6/16. Food preference of jassid on these cultivars was observed in laboratory of Cotton Research Institute, Faisalabad during, 2016. For this purpose ten pairs of jassid were collected from the field and confined in the center of separate chamber of olfactometer that was connected with side jars (containing leaves of different cultivars) through plastic tubes. It was to observe that how many jassids settled to food smell of different cultivars. Data regarding settling of jassid on leaves of different cultivars in side jars was observed after 24 hrs of the release of jassid. Prefrence/settlement of Jassid among different cultivars of cotton was maximum on FH Noor (1.83) and minimum on FH 142 (0.00). Intermediate response of jassid was observed on the remaining cultivars. The field data of selected cultivars was also recorded from 20 different plants of each cultivar by Mario method. Population of Jassid on different cultivars of cotton was maximum on FH Noor (1.83) and minimum on FH 142 (0.00). Morphological traits of all cultivars were also observed and correlated with field population of jassid. In correlation of these independent variable and dependent variable our data revealed that nectaries and Gossypol glands had negative effect on jassid but leaf area demonstrated the positive effect. These results can be very useful to develop a jassid resistant variety in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the effect of water deficit on growth characteristics of 27 cotton cultivars (GossypiumhirsutumL.), two separate experiments were performed in laboratory and glasshouse in Fars Province,Zarin-Dasht city(28° 36′ N, 54° 41′ E) in August 2015. In both experiments, which last for 10 days, a completely randomized block design with three replications was used. The main factor was water-deficit levels ((0, −4, and −12 MPa in laboratory and (0 and −8 MPa) in glasshouse experiments), and the subsidiary factor was different cotton cultivars. The sensitivity to water deficit was compared based on factors such as germination rate, shoot and root lengths, fresh and dry weights, seed energy, and seed vigor. The results of both experiments indicated that Oltan, Opal, Pak, Armaghan, Super-Elit Golestan, Super-Elit Bakhteghan, SB-35, Super-Elit Arian, Khandagh, Tabela-18, and Sahel cultivars are more resistant and therefore are suitable candidates to increase plant density and uniformity in the farm. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With the inclusion of BT cotton in the existing cotton-wheat cropping system of South Punjab, Pakistan; farmers are interested to sow early BT cotton to obtain its full production potential. There is a problem of sub and supra optimum temperature due to early and late sowing of BT cotton. Little efforts have been done to optimize the best sowing date of BT cotton in cotton-wheat cropping system. In this study, popular BT cotton cultivar MNH-886 was sown from February 14 till May 15, with two weeks interval, in soil filled earthen pots kept under natural conditions. Early sown (planted on February 14 and March 01) crop took more days to start emergence, complete 50% emergence and mean emergence time, and had minimum plant emergence. However, late sown (30th April and 15th May) took less time to germinate, with better and uniform seedling establishment. Although early planted crop took more days to start emergence, squaring, flowering, boll formation and boll opening but growing degree days to start emergence, squaring, flowering, boll formation and boll opening were high in late sown crop. However, BT cotton sown on 16th March yielded better than all other sowing dates owing to increase in yield related traits like number of sympodial branches, bolls per plant and boll weight; while crop sown on 15th May didn't perform well. Likewise sowing of BT cotton on 16th March had better fiber quality in terms of ginning out turn, fiber length, strength, fineness and uniformity. There was a positive correlation of phenological events like days to start squaring, flowering, boll formation and boll opening with seed cotton and lint yield of BT cotton; and cotton yield and boll weight were also positively linked with fiber quality traits. In conclusion, planting of BT cotton on 16th March is the best option to harvest higher seed cotton and lint yield of better quality fiber under arid to semi'arid conditions of South Punjab, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in photosynthetic attributes related to genetic improvement of cotton yield were studied in seven Chinese cotton cultivars widely grown in Xinjiang during the past 30 years. Our results showed that a chlorophyll (Chl) content and net photosynthetic rate ( P ) of the 1980s cultivar was the highest among all after 60 days from planting (DAP). However, after 75 DAP, the Chl content, P , and actual photochemical efficiency of PSII of the old cultivars declined gradually, whereas those of the new cultivars remained relatively high. Compared to the old cultivars, leaves of the new cultivars endured a longer period and their senescence was slower, shoot and boll dry mass was higher, but the root to shoot ratio was lower. The lint yield of the 2000s cultivars was 14.7 and 21.4% higher than that of 1990s and 1980s cultivars, respectively. The high yield of the new cultivars was attributed to a greater number of bolls per unit of area with high lint percentage. We suggested that the improved photosynthetic capacity and the increased ability to deliver photosynthates to reproductive sites during the peak boll-setting stage to boll-opening stage were the key physiological basis in the evolution process of cotton cultivars from 1980s to 2000s for the cotton yield improvement within a short growing period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium (K) plays important roles in the metabolism of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), but studies of K deficiency affecting C-N balance are lacking. This study explored the influence of K deficiency on C-N interaction in cotton leaves by conducting a field experiment with cotton cultivar DP0912 under two K rates (K0: 0 kg K 2 O ha −1 and K67: 67 kg K 2 O ha −1 ) and a controlled environment experiment with K-deficient solution (K1: 0 mM K + ) and K-sufficient solution (K2: 6 mM K + ). The results showed that leaf K content, leaf number, leaf area, boll number, reproductive dry weight and total dry weight were significant lower under K deficiency (K0 or K1). Lower total chlorophyll content and Chl a/b ratio, and decreased Pn along with lower Gs and higher Ci were measured under K deficiency, suggesting that the decrease in Pn was resulted from non-stomatal limitation. Leaf glucose, fructose, sucrose and starch contents were higher under K deficiency, because lower sucrose export was detected in phloem. Although leaf nitrate and ammonium contents significantly decreased, free amino acid content was increased by 40–63% under K deficiency, since lower amino acid export was also measured in phloem. K deficiency also induced lower soluble protein content in leaves. Leaf ATP level was significantly increased under K deficiency, indicating ATP utilization was lower, so that less energy was supplied to C and N metabolism. The ratio of soluble sugar to free amino acid and the C/N ratio markedly increased under K deficiency, and one reason was that the phloem export reduced more prominent for sucrose (54.6–78.0%) than amino acid (36.7–85.4%) under K deficiency. In addition, lower phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity limited malate and citrate biosynthesis under K deficiency, causing a decrease of C flux into the amino acids, which was not beneficial for maintaining C-N balance. Sucrose phosphate synthase and nitrate reductase activities were lower under K deficiency, which would limit sucrose biosynthesis and nitrate assimilation. This was another factor altering soluble sugar to free amino acid ratio and C/N ratio in the K-deficient leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verticillium wilt of cotton is incited by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., which colonizes the vascular cylinder of the plant resulting in defoliation, stunting, and yield loss. This project investigated cultivar selection and soil type predisposition for management of this disease to preserve cotton yields. All cotton cultivars planted in this study were susceptible to Verticillium wilt infection and all had some amount of vascular discoloration observed. However, there were varying ranges of tolerance found among different cultivars. ST 4747 GLB2 appeared to the consistently the most tolerant of the cultivars planted and exhibited the highest yields consistently over different seasons. Verticillium wilt disease incidence and severity were increased with irrigation in the controlled microplot test over six soil types. Verticillium wilt symptom severity was greater in the Decatur silt loam and Houston clay soils which have the highest clay and silt content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market demands for cotton varieties with improved fiber properties also call for the development of fast, reliable analytical methods for monitoring fiber development and measuring their properties. Currently, cotton breeders rely on instrumentation that can require significant amounts of sample, which complicates fiber development studies. Herein, we explored the use of high-resolution, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) microscopy to examine cotton fiber secondary cell wall development in single fibers. Notably, there was a marked intensity increase for the C-O bending region near 1015 cm–1 and the C-H stretch at 2900 cm–1. These changes agree with those observed with macroscopic FT-IR tests. Chemical distribution maps and principal component analysis plots visually depict these spectral changes. Our results suggest the FT-IR microscopy can potentially be utilized as a tool to monitor and assess important fiber properties, such as cotton maturity, during fiber development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was done to evaluate two sets of Egyptian cotton varieties (G. barbadense L.) for tolerance to late planting. The first set included 16 cultivated and obsolete varieties which evaluated for two seasons under early and late plantings. The second set included eight varieties selected from the first set for tolerance to late planting; four susceptible and four tolerant, and evaluated for three seasons. In the first set, mean squares of all the studied traits indicated significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences among varieties in separate and combined analyses under early and late plantings. Also, the combined analysis showed significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences between dates for all traits. However, the interactions of varieties × dates and varieties × dates × years were not significant. The mean square of varieties × years was significant only for lint percentage, boll weight and days of first flowers. Furthermore, the interaction mean squares of varieties x years under both of early and late planting was not significant indicating that the different traits were stable from year to year either for early or late planting. Late planting caused severe reduction in seed cotton yield reached 19.28, 19.14 and 19.21 % in the first, second year and combined date. Stress susceptibility index varied slightly from year to year. The highest stress susceptibility index was recorded for the varieties Giza 81 and Menoufi (1.19) followed by Giza 85 (1.20), Giza 88(1.20), Giza 69 (1.15), Giza 95 (1.15), Ashmouni (1.10) and Giza 92 (1.04). The highest yielding varieties (G90× Aus, Giza 90, Dandara, Giza 86 and Giza 80 were tolerant to late planting and scored stress susceptibility index less than unity. The highest varieties in lint yield were G90× Aus, followed by Giza 90, Giza 80, Giza 86 and Giza 95 under both planting dates. The reduction % in lint yield caused by late planting was very high and larger than that in seed cotton yield, and reached 22.88, 22.56 and 22.72 in the first, second year and combined data, respectively. The stress susceptibility index of the different varieties respect lint yield / plant showed the same picture as seed cotton yield /plant. The reduction in lint% for different varieties was low and averaged 4.53, 4.41 and 4.47 % in the first, second season and combined means, respectively. The reduction % in boll weight caused by delaying planting data was high and reached 21.79, 20.85 with an average of 21.31 %. The reduction% in boll weight was more than that in seed cotton yield. Therefore, number of bolls /plant increased under late planting. These results indicate that the stress of delay planting shortened the vegetative period of cotton growth. The results of the second set of varieties were in the same trend of the first one. These results indicate that the main cause of reduction in cotton yield is late planting date. This is due to that all the Egyptian cottons were bred to grow under full season and not for short season conditions. How ever, the stress susceptibility index indicated to the presence of tolerant varieties to late planting, and there is a chance to select for short season condition from the progenies of the crosses of such tolerant varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two sets of Egyptian cotton varieties were evaluated under early and late plantings. The first set included 16 cultivated and obsolete varieties and were evaluated for two seasons at Assiut Univ. Exper. Farm. The second set was selected from the first one; four varieties tolerant to late planting and four susceptible. The second set of varieties was evaluated in the third season at Shandaweel Res. Stn. Cott. Res. Ins. ARC. The combined analysis of variance of each set indicated insignificant interaction of years × dates, years × varieties and years × varieties × dates. However, the main effects of dates and varieties were significant (p ≤ 0.01). The genotypic and phenotypic correlations were estimated among seed cotton yield / plant, lint yield / plant, boll weight, number of bolls / plants and seed index. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations coefficients were very close and sometimes similar. Under early planting of the first set of varieties; lint yield / plant showed the highest genotypic correlation (0.989) with seed cotton yield / plant followed by number of bolls / plant (0.856) and boll weight (0.296). However, the genotypic correlation of seed index with seed cotton yield / plant was very small (0.042). The results indicated negative correlation between number of bolls and boll weight. The phenotypic and genotypic correlations under late planting and for the second set of varieties showed nearly the same trend. The study of path analysis in the two sets of varieties under early and late plantings indicated that lint yield / plant mostly showed the large direct effect on seed cotton yield, and when its direct effect was negative, it affected seed cotton yield via number of bolls and boll weight. The direct effect of number of bolls / plant on seed cotton yield / plant was high, and followed by boll weight. The results revealed that simultaneous selection based on lint yield / plant, number of bolls / plant and boll weight could be promising to breakthrough in seed cotton yield / plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shading is an environmental stress that affects cotton production areas, especially under tropical and rainfed conditions. The aim of this research was to evaluate the tolerance of cotton cultivars to shading. A field experiment was carried out in Primavera do Leste - MT, Brazil in the 2014 growing season. The experimental design was a 2 x 4 factorial (shading x cultivars) in randomized blocks with 4 replications. Cotton cultivars included late (TMG 82WS) and mid-early (IMA 5675B2RF, IMA 5672B2RF and IMA 5822B2RF). Shading (50% light reduction) was imposed at flowering onset (F2/F3 - Stage) for 2 weeks. Node number, boll number and fiber yield decreased by shading by 18.5, 36 and 25% on mid-early cultivars (average), respectively, as compared to the late cultivar. Boll weight was not affected by shading. For fiber quality parameters, shading reduced micronaire by 6.0% in the mid-early cultivars and fiber strength was increased by 6.4% on cultivar IMA 5672B2RF under shading and it was associated with the lowest boll number in such cultivar. It was concluded that in a season with no water or temperature limitation, the late cultivar could recovery the yield in the top of the plant. Shading decrease micronaire index, but the response depends on cultivar. Fiber properties such as length and strength were affected by shading but this response was related to the number of fruits retained by the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cotton stainer, Dysdercus koenigii Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pyrrhcoridae), has become a major threat to transgenic cotton as it causes warts on the internal carpel wall of cotton boll, severe lint staining, lint locks, and lint lesions. Thus, keeping in view the importance of this pest on cotton, in the present study, screening of 13 transgenic cotton genotypes was performed and the population of D. koenigii was determined on these genotypes during 2012-13. Furthermore, among these genotypes, a high yielding advanced cultivar (FH-114) was selected for further experiments. A number of five different densities of D. koenigii (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25) at adult stage with well-developed proboscis were released in the cages along with a control treatment. Cotton genotypes FH-312, FH-2073, FH-Lalazar, FH-142, and MNH-886 possessed minimum population (1.33 D. koenigii per plant) compared to FH-324 and FH-444 (6.0 D. koenigii per plant). The number of bolls per plant and boll weight decreased as a result of increased densities. The increased density of D. koenigii resulted in fewer bolls per plant (12.1 bolls), reduced boll weight (2.1 g), germination (39.1%), ginning out turn (38.3%), staple length (27.8 mm), and staple fineness (4.0 μg/in.) when compared with un-infested plants (30.6, 3.2 g, 77.3%, 41.5%, 28.8 mm, and 4.4 μg/in.), respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that bolls per plant, boll weight, germination, ginning out turn, and staple fineness resulted in negative and significant correlation with density of D. koenigii with r-values of −0.95, −0.98, −0.98, −0.8, and −0.85, respectively. Coefficient of determination (R) demonstrated that bolls per plant, boll weight, germination, ginning out turn, staple length, and staple fineness contributed with 91, 96, 96, 79, 43 and 73%, respectively, to the total variability at different densities of D. koenigii. Our findings demonstrated that D. koenigii has become potential major pest and causes quantitative and qualitative losses to transgenic cotton, hence, there is a need to develop appropriate control measures for controlling its population to avoid further losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance of eight genotypes of cotton (AGC-501, BH-185, NIAB-874B, MNH- 886, FH-312, CIM-616, IUB-75 and IR-NIBGE-6) was tested at Cotton Research Station, Multan, Pakistan during 2014 against insect pest complex and CLCuV for seed cotton yield and fibre traits. The genotype AGC-501 was found to be resistant against jassid (Amrasca bigutella bigutella) having 0.27, whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) 1.87 and Thrips (Thrips tabaci) 1.00 individuals per leaf. Genotype BH-185 was found to be susceptible having Jassid 0.73, whitefly 4.27 and thrips 7.20 individuals per leaf alongwith spotted bollworm (Earias spp.) 0.33 larvae per plant. The genotypes NIAB-874B and IUB-75 had also 0.33 and 0.27 larvae of spotted bollworm per plant. Others genotypes had zero population of spotted bollworm (Earias spp.). Regarding pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) larvae the genotypes AGC-501 had maximum and MNH-886 had minimum population of pink bollworm larvae i.e. 88.8 and 31.3 percent in left over bolls. The virus incidence was more on the genotypes FH- 312 (98%) and less on genotypes CIM-616 (48%). Highest ginning outturn (GOT) and fibre strength was recorded on the genotype FH-312 (47.6% and 34.3 g/tex). Regarding staple length and fineness of lint, it was found that maximum staple length was recorded in genotypes MNH-988 (24.9mm) and fineness in MNH-886 (6.0 μg/inch) when compared with standard staple length and fineness of lint. Higher yield was recorded in CIM-616 i.e. 17.81 maunds per acre. Our results suggested that breeders should consider ginning out turn (GOT), fibre strength, staple length and fineness of lint for the evaluation of new varieties in the best interest of growers' community. Further this study provides an opportunity for cotton stakeholders to choose tolerant varieties so that indiscriminate insecticide sprays can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ramularia leaf spot, caused by Ramularia areola , is responsible for premature defoliation of cotton, resulting in potential reductions in yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate integrated control using genotypes, a fungicide and Trichoderma asperellum to manage Ramularia leaf spot on cotton. In the greenhouse, the resistance of eighteen genotypes was evaluated with two isolates of R. areola (IMA 244 and IMA 237). In field, the severity of Ramularia leaf spot was evaluated on cotton genotypes CNPA MT 2009-1381, CNPA GO 2007-419, BRS 293, BRS 372, CNPA GO 2008-1265 and FMT 701 treated or untreated with a fungicide in Primavera do Leste, MT, Correntina, BA, and Santa Helena de Goiás, GO, during the 2011–2012 season. The varieties BRS 293 and BRS 372 were sprayed with a fungicide or Trichoderma in Sapezal, MT, during the 2012–2013 season, and the disease severity and fiber yield were evaluated. Significant interactions were detected between Ramularia isolates and cotton genotypes; the lowest disease severity was observed with IMA CD 05–8276 and CNPA GO 2007-419 genotypes. In the field tests, the lowest disease severity was with variety BRS 372 and the highest was with BRS 293, when grown in two different regions. The chemical fungicide and T. asperellum both reduced the disease severity in cotton varieties BRS 372 and BRS 293; however, yields were not significantly affected. In conclusion, an integrated strategy with the management tools of resistant varieties, fungicides and biocontrol agents should be used to control Ramularia leaf spot on cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton (Gossypium sp.) is an important worldwide cash crop that provides a competitive renewable natural fiber supply for the demands of textile industry. The development of new textile technologies and the improvement of living standards increase the demands for both fiber quantity and fiber quality. '0-153' is an upland cotton cultivar with excellent fiber quality derived from Asiatic cotton sources, especially with regards to fiber strength. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fiber strength in this line, a recombinant inbred line population consisting of 196 lines was developed from a cross between it and 'sGK9708'. A genetic linkage map consisting of 2393 loci was constructed using this recombinant inbred line population, with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from the IntlCottonSNPConsortium_70k chip. Quantitative trait loci for fiber strength were detected across 11 environments using both single-environment and combined multipleenvironment models. A total of 63 QTLs controlling fiber strength were detected by the single-environment model. Sixteen QTLs were identified by the combined multipleenvironment model. These QTLs could make a contribution to the improvement of fiber quality via marker-assisted selection and provide useful information for QTL fine mapping and functional gene research activities as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine cotton genotypes, comprised of four non Bt males (CIM-1100, CIM-506, FH-942 and FH-900), five Bt female genotypes (FH-113, FH-114, MNH-886, AA-703 and IR-3701) and their 20 crosses were screened in order to evaluate their response to Cotton leaf curl virus symptoms through epidemiology in the field and greenhouse. The 20 crosses among their nine parents were sown in two replications under randomized complete block design, during 2013 and 2014. The mean squares were significant for all traits indicating that both additive and non-additive genes control the characters, but non-additive genes were more important because, variance of dominant genes were higher than additive genes. In our test, FH-900 showed the best performance against CLCuV, number of lobes per boll and seed yield. The CIM-1100 genotype performed well in boll weight, fiber strength and fiber fineness, whereas CIM-506 was good for plant height, number of sympodial branches and ginning. Maximum boll number, seed index and fiber length were shown by FH-942. Among lines, MNH886, FH-113, IR-3701 and FH-114 exhibited the best general combination for many traits. Hence, parents were preferred for hybridization program to improve the majority of characters. Hybrids FH-113 × FH-942, MNH-886 × CIM-1100, MNH-886 × FH-942, IR-3701 × CIM-506, AA-703 × CIM-1100, FH-114 × FH-942, FH-114 × CIM-1100 and MNH-886 × FH-900 was best in specific combinations for different traits, especially against CLCuV. The results indicated that to increase resistance against CLCuV, hybrids should be exploited to develop CLCuV resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The jasmonic acid (JA) signalling pathway plays roles in plant development and defence against biotic and abiotic stresses. We isolated a cotton NINJA ( n ovel in teractor of JA ZIM-domain) gene, designated GhNINJA , which contains a 1305 bp open read frame. The GhNINJA gene encodes a 434 amino acid peptide. According to quantitative real-time PCR analysis, GhNINJA is preferentially expressed in roots, and its expression level is greatly induced by Verticillium dahliae infection. Through a virus-induced gene silencing technique, we developed GhNINJA-silenced cotton plants, which had significantly decreased expression of the target gene with an average expression of 6% of the control. The regenerating lateral root growth of silenced plants was largely inhibited compared to the control. Analysis by microscopy demonstrated that the cell length of the root differentiation zone in GhNINJA- silenced plants is significantly shorter than those of the control. Moreover, the silenced plants exhibited higher tolerance to V. dahliae infection compared to the control, which was linked to the increased expression of the defence marker genes PDF1.2 and PR4 . Together, these data indicated that knockdown of GhNINJA represses the root growth and enhances the tolerance to V. dahliae . Therefore, GhNINJA gene can be used as a candidate gene to breed the new cultivars for improving cotton yield and disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out at Shandaweel Res. Sta. Sohag, Cotton Res. Inst., (ARC), during the three summer seasons of 2013 -2015. The basic materials were selfed seeds of 60 single plants selected from the breeding nursery of renewal and maintenance of Giza 90 (the same materials used for producing the nucleolus of G.90). The main objective of this work was to study the possibility of selection elite high yielding plants characterized by the same fiber properties of Giza 90. To attain this goal, two cycles of selection for single trait selection for lint yield/plant and 14 selection indices (desired genetic gain index) were achieved. Average observed genetic gain of the ten selected families after two cycles of selection indicated that LY/P ranged from insignificant (16.57%) for index 2 (LY/P and BW) to 21.63% (P ≤0.01) for index 7 (NB/P and NS/B). Index 2 increased BW by 9.27% (p ≤ 0.05) and UHM length by 2.23% (p ≤ 0.01). Index 7 showed significant genetic gain of 20.26, 21.63, 3.16, 5.44 and 2.785 for SCY/P, LY/P, SI, PI, and UHM length; respectively. Index 3 showed significant genetic gain of 19.71, 21.36, 3.61, 7.82, and 2.65% for SCY/P, LY/P, SI, PI and UHM length; respectively. Index 13 gave significant genetic gain of 18.46, 20.55 and 5.76% for SCY/P, LY/P and PI; respectively. Single trait selection for LY/P showed significant genetic gain of 19.75, 20.30 and 14.01% for SCY/P, LY/P and NB/P; respectively. The results indicated that selection index was better than single trait selection in detecting the superior families in LY/P. Generally, it could be concluded that the present program for maintenance and renewing Egyptian cotton varieties is a precise and perfect program to preserve the fiber quality, but, not suitable for improving yielding ability. In consequence, this program should be modified to allow the isolation of superior high yielding off types from the breeding nursery characterized by improvement in one or more fiber quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out at Shandaweel Res. Sta. Sohag, Cotton Res. Inst., (ARC), during the three summer seasons of 2013 -2015. The basic materials were selfed seeds of 60 single plants selected from the breeding nursery of renewal and maintenance of Giza 90 (the same materials used for producing the nucleolus of G.90). The main objective of this work was to study the possibility of selection elite high yielding plants characterized by the same fiber properties of Giza 90. To attain this goal, single trait selection for lint yield, lint percentage and earliness was applied for two cycles. Average of the ten selected families indicated that selection for LY/P ranked the first and improved LY/P by 20.30% of the check strain followed by selection for days to first flower method (15.82%), and LY/P restricted by DFF (11.54%). Generally, single trait selection is an effective method to improve selection criterion. The observed genetic gain indicated that single trait selection resulted in several superior families significant out yielded the check strain and better in one or more of the three main fiber properties; fineness, strength and Upper Half Mean length. Therefore, the official method of maintaining and renewing Egyptian cotton varieties should be modified to allow selection for yield beside preserving fiber properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) 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.)

Evaluating germplasm resources comprehensively and accurately is of great significance to their efficient utilization. To comprehensively characterize the genetic relationships among upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties, the genetic diversity of 172 upland cotton varieties in China was assessed using 18 phenotype traits and 154 polymorphic simple sequence repeat molecular markers. According to the variation analysis of phenotype traits, the variation coefficient, which reflects the level of phenotypic genetic diversity, varied widely among traits. The analysis of marker polymorphism showed that the average allele number, gene diversity index, and polymorphism information content were 2.62, 0.3985 and 0.3343, respectively, indicating a relatively low level of genetic diversity. All varieties grouped into five clusters (I–V) based on phenotypic data. Among the five clusters, clusters III and IV further grouped into four (III-1, III-2, III-3, and III-4) and two subclusters (IV-1 and IV-2), respectively. Cluster I and subclusters III-1, III-3, III-4, and IV-1 displayed prominent values in some of the 18 traits. Then, all varieties grouped into nine clusters (A–I) based on molecular marker data. Clusters C, D, E, F, H, and I displayed prominent values in some of the 18 traits. Clustering based on phenotype traits and/or molecular markers was largely congruent with varietal pedigree information, but the clustering of varieties was independent of the varietal ecological sources. Results in this study suggest that varieties with prominent complementary traits in different phenotype- and/or marker- based clusters can be selected as parents in breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is the principal global threat to crop productivity. Approximately, one third of the global cultivated area is prone to perpetual drought. Yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in Pakistan is often reduced by drought, and the severity of the problem may increase due to the protected climate change. Therefore, developing different approaches to mitigate drought stress are inevitable. A 2-year field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of drought on maize growth, productivity and yield. The experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during spring seasons of 2013 and 2014. A randomized complete block design involving a split plot arrangement with three replications was used. Three soil moisture regimes were maintained as main plots: (I1) well-watered treatment, (I2) mild drought with 25 mm of potential soil moisture deficit (PSMD), and (I3) severe drought with 50 mm of PSMD. Nutrient levels were laid out as sub-plots: (T1) control, (T2) 100 kg ha-1 K, (T3) 150 kg ha-1 K, (T4) 12 kg ha-1 Zn, (T5) 100 kg ha-1 K + 12 kg ha-1 Zn, and (T6) 150 kg ha-1 K + 12 kg ha-1 Zn. The highest grains yield of 8760 kg ha-1 in 2013 and 8040 kg ha-1 in 2014 was obtained for I1T6 treatment. Increasing drought stress significantly reduced all agronomic parameters. Hence, higher rates of application of potassium with zinc are needed to enhance maize production, increase net income, and alleviate the adverse effects of drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timing of defoliation and harvest can affect cotton yield and quality. Careful consideration of defoliating is necessary, because too early or too late defoliation may have a negative impact on yield potential and fibre quality. Therefore, field experiments were conducted during 2011 and 2012 to determine the effects of defoliation and harvesting timing of an early maturing and a medium-late maturing cotton cultivar for identifying ideal time of application to realize high productivity and fibre quality. The experiment was conducted in the split-split plot arrangement with three replications. Cultivars were the main plots (DP 499, and SG-125), defoliation times were the sub-plots (50 (early), 70 (mid), and 90 (late) percent open boll), and harvest times were the sub-sub plots (pickings at two and four weeks after defoliation treatments). The result revealed that yields of the early harvest at late defoliation timing and late harvest at mid defoliation timing were significantly higher than the yields of all other treatments both in 2011 and 2012. When the cotton crop was defoliated at 70% open boll, early harvest produced the longest fibre in 2011. Early harvest at early defoliation and late harvest at mid defoliation treatments produced the finest fibres. The largest strength value was observed for cotton defoliated at 70% open boll. On the basis of these results it is suggested that defoliation at 90% open boll for early maturing cultivar and defoliation at 70% open boll for medium-late maturing cultivar could be recommended for higher yields without undesirable changes in fibre quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing trend of sowing early Bt cotton as mono crop has reduced the area under wheat crop that leads to decrease of output of per unit area. The experiments were carried out in the same field for two consecutive years during 2012-13 and 2013-14 on wheat-cotton with different relay/intercropping system. Wheat was sown in strips in November and harvested in April of the next year, while cotton was sown in the interspersed space of wheat crop in early March and harvested before the next wheat sowing in November. There were six different planting systems of wheat and cotton i.e. P1 (wheat 6 rows strips between 150 cm apart ridges + cotton on ridges-single row), P2 (wheat 6 rows strips between 150 cm apart ridges + cotton on ridges double row), P3 (Wheat 2 rows strips between 75 cm apart ridges + cotton on ridges single row), P4 (wheat in 3 rows strips on 75 cm wide beds and cotton dibbling on both sides of beds, P5 (wheat after cotton as alone crops) and P6 (Bt-cotton alone early on beds) were used in the experiment. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete blocks design and data regarding crop productivity and profitability of mono and intercrops were collected. The treatment P2 (6:2) gave 38% higher income and produce maximum BCR (1.92) than early sown alone Bt cotton and proved very successful for relay cropping of cotton in standing wheat crop as wheat yield was not reduced and additional cotton produce was obtained normally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., is a major constraint to cotton production in almost all countries where cotton is cultivated. Developing new cotton cultivars resistant to Verticillium wilt is the most effective and feasible way to combat the problem. Little is known about the inheritance of resistance to Verticillium wilt of cotton, especially that caused by the defoliating and non-defoliating pathotypes of the soilborne fungus V. dahliae. The objective of this study was to determine the inheritance of seedling reactions to representative isolates defoliating and non-defoliating of V. dahliae in crosses of the resistant cotton Giza 45 and Tex with susceptible Albania. F1, F2, and backcross-F1 populations were inoculated to determine the mode of inheritance of seedlings by the stem-injection method. The Chi-square test for goodness of fit was used to analyse segregating populations. Two independent recessive genes appeared to control resistance of Giza 45 and Tex to both defoliating and non-defoliating pathotypes. Depending upon the cross, the two genes cumulatively condition immunity or higher levels of resistance than either parent conditioned by single gene. There was no evidence of maternal influence on the inheritance of resistance. Resistance genes in Giza 45 and Tex were recessive; therefore, breeders should consider the use of relatively large F2 populations to effectively transfer these genes to cultivars with good agronomic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nutrient management on growth, yield characters and leaf reddening in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Cotton variety Haridost was studied under 4 NPK treatments (000 NPK kg ha-1, 120-0-0 kg N ha-1, 120-70-0 kg N ha-1, 120-70-40 kg NPK ha-1 and 5 secondary and micronutrient (Control, 50, 3, 4 and 1.5 kg ha-1 Mg, Fe, Zn and B, respectively) treatments. NPK @ 120-70-40 kg ha-1 resulted maximum plant height, number of green leaves plant-1, number of opened bolls plant-1, seed index, and seed cotton yield ha-1. Red leaves reduced when soil was fertilized with N, P and K @ 120-70-40 kg ha-1; and plots without application of K (120-70-0 kg ha-1) and PK (120-0-0 kg N ha-1) increased number of red leaves. In case of micronutrients, Zn @ 4 kg and B @ 1.5 kg ha-1 were highly effective to control reddening of leaves, respectively. Interactive effect of NP @ 120-70 kg ha-1 × Zn @ 4 kg ha-1 resulted in maximum reduction of red leaves. Regardless the application of N, P or K and their control, reddening of leaves was linearly affected by Zn and B. It is concluded that there was no direct effect of N, P, K, Mg and Fe on the reddening of cotton leaves but B and Zn application decreased number of red leaves. Plant growth improved markedly when essentially needed NPK was applied @ 120-70-40 NPK in combination with Zn and B @ 4 and 1.5 kg ha-1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has estimated the technical efficiency of Non-BT cotton and BT cotton production in Pakistan. Those farmers were selected as the respondents for the study that used to cultivate Non-BT cotton and BT cotton varieties. In Pakistan, the NonBT cotton varieties have been promptly substituted with the BT-cotton varieties. This substitution of imported BT-cotton seed is taking into account without considering the local environmental conditions of Pakistan. Thus the main objective of the research was on the comparative efficiency and the productivity analysis of BT-Cotton varieties with those of the conventional non-BT-Cotton varieties. The population of this research covers the area of Rahim Yar Khan of Pakistan. Two hundred and fifteen farms were selected from each of the NonBT-cotton farms and BT-cotton farms. The Cobb-Douglas Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) has been employed to determine the technical efficiency of these growers. Technical efficiency has been found dissimilar under both the situations. The estimated mean technical efficiency of NonBT cotton farmers has been found to be 0.70, and 0.90 is the technical efficiency found in that of the BT cotton farmers. Hence the average output of Non-BT cotton and BT-cotton farms could be increased by 30 and 10 percent, respectively by adopting the technology with an appropriate approach. The results of the inefficiency model reveal that the factors like education, experience and distance from the main market, are the most influential determinants of the technical efficiency in both NonBT and BT-cotton farms. Extension of cotton production required the development of cottonseed that will be suitable for environmental conditions of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field trial was conducted on a sandy clay loam soil during winter seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to evaluate prominent ten cotton varieties under organic management system. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. Experimental results indicated that SVPR 4 variety produced the tallest plants. Higher number of sympodial branches plant-1 was recorded with KC 3 variety which was on par with SVPR 4 and MCU 12. Number of bolls plant-1 and boll setting percentage were higher in KC 3 and MCU 12 varieties over others. Variety MCU 12 recorded significantly higher seed cotton yield (1751 kg ha-1) compared to other varieties. Fibre quality parameters were the maximum with MCU 12 variety. Nutrients (N, P and K) uptake and available nutrients after harvest were higher with MCU 9 and MCU 12 varieties over others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Verticillium wilt (VW) caused by Verticillium dahliae (Kleb) is one of the most destructive diseases of cotton. The identification of highly resistant QTLs or genes in the whole cotton genome is quite important for developing a VW-resistant variety and for further molecular design breeding. Results: In the present study, BC1F1, BC1S1, and BC2F1 populations derived from an interspecific backcross between the highly resistant line Hai1 (Gossypium barbadense L.) and the susceptible variety CCRI36 (G. hirsutum L.) as the recurrent parent were constructed. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to VW resistance were detected in the whole cotton genome using a high-density simple sequence repeat (SSR) genetic linkage map from the BC1F1 population, with 2292 loci covering 5115.16 centiMorgan (cM) of the cotton (AD) genome, and the data concerning VW resistance that were obtained from four dates of BC2F1 in the artificial disease nursery and one date of BC1S1 and BC2F1 in the field. A total of 48 QTLs for VW resistance were identified, and 37 of these QTLs had positive additive effects, which indicated that the G. barbadense alleles increased resistance to VW and decreased the disease index (DI) by about 2.2-10.7. These QTLs were located on 19 chromosomes, in which 33 in the A subgenome and 15 QTLs in the D subgenome. The 6 QTLs were found to be stable. The 6 QTLs were consistent with those identified previously, and another 42 were new, unreported QTLs, of which 31 QTLs were from G. barbadense. By metaanalysis, 17 QTL hotspot regions were identified and 10 of them were new, unreported hotspot regions. 29 QTLs in this paper were in 12 hotspot regions and were all from G. barbadense. Conclusions: These stable or consensus QTL regions warrant further investigation to better understand the genetics and molecular mechanisms underlying VW resistance. This study provides useful information for further comparative analysis and marker-assisted selection in the breeding of disease-resistant cotton. It may also lay an important foundation for gene cloning and further molecular design breeding for the entire cotton genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suitable cotton variety selection is imperative to cope with temporal variations for yield enhancement and sustainability under unpredictable climatic conditions. Cotton varieties including transgenic (Bacillus thuringiensis) and non-transgenic (non Bt.) were sown from 10-March to 21-June with 20 days interval for two growing seasons (2012 and 2013) consecutively while cotton sowing after wheat harvest is normal practice at farmers' field in Cotton-Wheat cropping system of Punjab-Pakistan. Phenology, growth indices, seed cotton yield (SCY) and its heat use efficiency of varieties were estimated on daily basis by using statistical models. Seed cotton yield (SCY) was significantly correlated with crop duration exhibiting delays in planting (21-June) impact on shortening of phenophases i.e. first square, flower, boll initiation and boll opening by 8, 7, 4 and 6 days, respectively compared with 10-May planting in first season while second season advanced 0-3 days owing to deviation in frequency of cold shock <11 °C and heat stress >35 °C. Long crop cycle varieties AA-802 and IR-3701 took 6-9 days more compared to short season NIAB-112. More heat units accretion 46, 33, 20 and 13 % to switch into next phenophase (first square, flower, boll initiation and boll opening) was computed in 10-May planting than 10-March due to excessive heat stress (>40 °C) during early phenophases while reduced variations observed in later phases. Reproductive stage initiation and accumulated higher thermal time delayed in late mature varieties compared to short one with lower root mean square error (RMSE) and higher coefficient of determination (R²). Significant reduction in days after planting to attain maximum LAI, CGR, TDM and SCY-heat use efficiency (HUESCY) decreased with delay in planting with good statistical indices. Less impact of cold shock and heat stress on 21-April and 10-May plantings noted while 10-March and 21-June planting had higher incidence during early growth phases. Cotton varieties MNH-886 and NIAB-9811 (NIAB-Kiran) planted 30-March to 10-May exhibited higher resilience to variable weather conditions with fostered growth potential and yield. Variety NIAB-112 seemed heat tolerant and it can be recommend for early and especially for late plating while MNH-886 and NIAB-Kiran can be adopted at farmer's field in the region for maximizing cotton production under variable environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]