The synergistic effects of soil-applied boron and foliar-applied silicon on cotton fiber quality and yield.

Studies of boron (B) and silicon (Si) synergy in cotton crops have shown promising results; however, the focus was on the foliar application of B and Si. Nonetheless, B is an element with little mobility in the plant and its best form of application is in the soil. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of soil applied B and foliar applied sSi on fiber quality and crop yield of cotton. For this purpose, a field experiment was carried out using cotton cultivar FM 985 GLTP. The soil's B in the experimental site is classified as low for cotton cultivation. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete-block design, in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, with three doses of B: 0.0 kg ha-1 (deficiency), 2.0 kg ha-1 (recommended dose), and 4.0 kg ha-1 (high dose) in the absence and presence (920 g L-1) of Si, with four replications. One week after the 4th application of Si, B and Si leaf content was determined. At boll opening, crop yield was estimated, and fiber quality analysis was realized. Boron deficiency reduced cotton yield, in 11 and 9%, compared to the application of 2 and 4 kg ha-1 of B, respectively. The presence of Si, however, increased plant yield in 5% in the treatments with 0 and 2 kg ha-1 of B, respectively. Cotton fiber length and elongation were not influenced by the B doses and Si presence. Fiber breaking strength was increased in 5% by the presence of Si and was not influenced by B deficiency. Micronaire was 8% smaller in the treatment with 0 kg ha-1 of B and 6% smaller in the absence of Si. Short fiber index was 4% greater in the plants of the treatment with 0 kg ha-1 of B. The results of this study reports that the complementation with Si via foliar application increases fiber quality by enhance breaking strength and micronaire. In conclusion, the interaction between soil-applied B and foliar-applied Si is beneficial for cotton cultivation, resulting in high cotton yield with better fiber quality.

Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis and Identification of Candidate Genes for Micronaire in an Interspecific Backcross Inbred Line Population of Gossypium hirsutum × Gossypium barbadense.

Cotton is the most important fiber crop and provides indispensable natural fibers for the textile industry. Micronaire (MIC) is determined by fiber fineness and maturity and is an important component of fiber quality. Gossypium barbadense L. possesses long, strong and fine fibers, while upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is high yielding with high MIC and widely cultivated worldwide. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate genes for MIC in G. barbadense, a population of 250 backcross inbred lines (BILs), developed from an interspecific cross of upland cotton CRI36 × Egyptian cotton (G. barbadense) Hai7124, was evaluated in 9 replicated field tests. Based on a high-density genetic map with 7709 genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS)-based single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, 25 MIC QTLs were identified, including 12 previously described QTLs and 13 new QTLs. Importantly, two stable MIC QTLs (qMIC-D03-2 on D03 and qMIC-D08-1 on D08) were identified. Of a total of 338 genes identified within the two QTL regions, eight candidate genes with differential expression between TM-1 and Hai7124 were identified. Our research provides valuable information for improving MIC in cotton breeding.

Productivity and quality of cotton fiber in different planting seasons / Produtividade e qualidade da fibra do algodão em diferentes épocas de plantio

Cotton is one of the main agricultural products produced in Brazil. With such a high demand in the market, it is necessary that the cotton cultivars present high productivity and fiber quality. In order to favor the expression of the potential of the genotypes, the cultivation must occur in climatic conditions that provide good development of the plants, being the sowing time a primordial factor for the good performance of the cotton plant. In order to establish an ideal sowing season for different cotton genotypes, the present study aimed to evaluate the best sowing season of cotton genotypes for the environment of Uberlândia (Minas Gerais State), aiming at productivity and fiber quality. The experiment was carried out in field conditions, in the 2016/2017 harvest in the experimental area located at Fazenda Capim Branco, in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State. A randomized complete block design (DBC) with four replications in a 4x7 factorial scheme was used: 4/12 sowing dates: 05/12, 19/12, 30/12, 13/01 and 7 genotypes. 5 strains of the breeding program of the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) and 2 commercial cultivars. The evaluated characteristics were: seed cotton yield, feather yield, micronaire index, maturity index, fiber length, uniformity of length, short fibers, resistance and elongation. It was concluded that the best sowing season for a high productivity was the one performed on 12/05/16, with emphasis on the UFUJP-Z genotype. For fiber quality, UFUJP-C showed the best results at the 12/19/16 sowing season.

O algodão é um dos principais produtos agrícolas produzidos no Brasil. Com tamanha exigência do mercado, é necessário que as cultivares de algodoeiro apresentem alta produtividade e qualidade de fibras. Para favorecer a expressão do potencial dos genótipos, a semeadura deve ocorrer na época em que as condições climáticas proporcionem bom desenvolvimento das plantas, sendo a temperatura, precipitação e luminosidade fatores primordiais para o bom desempenho. Com o intuito de estabelecer uma época de semeadura ideal para diferentes genótipos de algodoeiro, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a melhor época de semeadura, para o ambiente de Uberlândia (MG), visando produtividade e qualidade da fibra. O experimento foi desenvolvido em condições de campo, na safra 2016/2017 na área experimental localizada na Fazenda Capim Branco, no município de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados (DBC) com quatro repetições em esquema fatorial 4x7, constituíram-se de 4 épocas de semeadura: 05/12, 19/12, 30/12, 13/01 e 7 genótipos, sendo 5 linhagens do Programa de melhoramento do algodoeiro da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU) e 2 cultivares comerciais. As características avaliadas foram: produtividade do algodão em caroço, rendimento de pluma, índice micronaire, índice de maturação, comprimento de fibra, uniformidade de comprimento, fibras curtas, resistência e alongamento. Concluiu-se que a semeadura em 05/12/16 obteve melhores resultados quando visa alta produtividade, com destaque para o genótipo UFUJP-Z. Visando qualidade de fibra a semeadura em 19/12/16 foi mais favorável, com destaque para o UFUJP-C.

Genetic parameters and path analysis of traits of upland cotton for the brazilian semi-arid region / Parâmetros genéticos e análise de trilha de caracteres de algodoeiro herbáceo para região do semi-árido brasileiro

Upland cotton fiber is one of the most used natural fibers in the production of textile materials worldwide. For this reason, the selection of genotypes that meet the industry's requirements is one of the main goals of cotton breeding programs. This study aimed to estimate the phenotypic and genotypic correlations among fiber traits and identify the direct and indirect effects of these traits on seed cotton yield of upland cotton genotypes in the semi-arid Brazilian Northeast. This study assessed 21 upland cotton genotypes from a complete diallel cross without reciprocals. The design was randomized blocks, with three replications and 21 treatments. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Patos - PB, in 2015. The statistical analysis consisted of analysis of variance by the F test, phenotypic and genotypic correlation analysis, and path analysis. The studied materials revealed genetic variability for all traits. Path analysis has shown that the traits fiber elongation, fiber strength, and fiber fineness have a direct positive effect on seed cotton yield.

A fibra do algodoeiro herbáceo é uma das fibras naturais mais utilizadas na produção de materiais têxteis no mundo. Portanto, a seleção de genótipos que atendam às exigências desta indústria é um dos principais objetivos dos programas de melhoramento do algodoeiro. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar as correlações fenotípicas e genotípicas entre as características tecnológicas da fibra e identificar os efeitos diretos e indiretos destas características sobre a produtividade de algodão em caroço de genótipos de algodoeiro herbáceo no semiárido nordestino. Foram avaliados 21 genótipos de algodoeiro herbáceo provenientes de um cruzamento dialélico completo sem os recíprocos. O delineamento utilizado foi blocos completos ao acaso, com três repetições. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Patos - PB, em 2015. As análises estatísticas consistiram de análise de variância pelo teste F, análise de correlação fenotípica e genotípica e análise de trilha. Todas as características apresentaram variabilidade genética entre os genótipos estudados. A correlação fenotípica foi positiva entre CSP, COMP, UNF e RES. Foram observados efeitos indiretos de ALON, COMP e FIN sobre PROD, por meio das variáveis FIN, RD e +b.

Cotton Micronaire Measurements Using Small Portable Near-Infrared (NIR) Analyzers.

A key quality and processing parameter for cotton fiber is micronaire, which is a function of the fiber's maturity and fineness. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has previously shown the ability to measure micronaire, primarily in the laboratory and using large, research-grade laboratory NIR instrumentation. International interest has been expressed by the industry in the measurement of fiber micronaire using small, portable NIR spectroscopy instruments for both laboratory and outside the laboratory (e.g., field or greenhouse) locations. New, very small NIR micro-spectrometers have been commercialized that offer the potential advantages of smaller size and lower weight, lower cost, and increased portability over current portable units. A program was implemented to determine the feasibility of a small NIR micro-spectrometer to measure fiber micronaire both in the laboratory and outside the laboratory, with initial emphasis on laboratory measurements prior to moving to field evaluations. In the laboratory, distinct spectral differences with increasing micronaire were observed. Optimal sampling and instrumental procedures and protocols for two units (different spectral wavelength capabilities) were established. Comparative evaluations established very good method micronaire agreement between the micro-spectrometer and a standard portable spectrometer, with high Regression (R) value, low residuals, and few outliers (less than 20%). The NIR micro-spectrometer measurements were fast (<1 min per sample), required no sample preparation, and were easy to perform. All end-state criteria were exceeded. The rapid and accurate laboratory measurement of fiber micronaire with a NIR micro-spectrometer was demonstrated.

Stable transformation and expression of GhEXPA8 fiber expansin gene to improve fiber length and micronaire value in cotton.

Cotton fiber is multigenic trait controlled by number of genes. Previous studies suggest that one of these genes may be responsible for switching cotton fiber growth on and off to influence the fiber quality produced from a cotton seed. In the present study, the Gossypium hirsutum GhEXPA8 fiber expansin gene was introduced into local cotton variety NIAB 846 by using an Agrobacterium-mediated gene transformation. The neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) gene was used as a selection marker for screening of putative transgenic cotton plants. Integration and expression of the fiber expansin gene in cotton plants was confirmed with molecular techniques including Southern blot analyses, real-time PCR. Cellulose assay was used for measurement of cellulose contents of transgenic cotton fiber. The data collected from 3 years of field performance of the transgenic cotton plants expressing GhEXPA8 showed that significant improvement has been made in fiber lengths and micronaire values as compared to control G. hirsutum variety NIAB 846 cotton plants. Statistical techniques were also used for analysis of fiber and agronomic characteristics. The results of this study support improvement of cotton fiber through genetic modification.

Predicting the effects of environment and management on cotton fibre growth and quality: a functional-structural plant modelling approach.

In general, the quality of fruits depends on local conditions experienced by the fruit during its development. In cotton, fruit quality, and more specifically the quality of the fibre in the fruit, depends on interactions between fruit position in the plant architecture, temperature and agronomic practices, such as sowing time, mulching with plastic film and topping of the plant's main stem and branches. To quantify this response of cotton fibre quality to environment and management, we developed a simulation model of cotton growth and development, CottonXL. Simulation of cotton fibre quality (strength, length and micronaire) was implemented at the level of each individual fruit, in relation to thermal time (represented by physiological age of the fruit) and prevailing temperature during development of each fruit. Field experiments were conducted in China in 2007 to determine model parameters, and independent data on cotton fibre quality in three cotton producing regions in China were used for model validation. Simulated values for fibre quality closely corresponded to experimental data. Scenario studies simulating a range of management practices predicted that delaying topping times can significantly decrease fibre quality, while sowing date and film mulching had no significant effect. We conclude that CottonXL may be used to explore options for optimizing cotton fibre quality by matching cotton management to the environment, taking into account responses at the level of individual fruits. The model may be used at plant, crop and regional levels to address climate and land-use change scenarios.

Effect of Simultaneous Water Deficit Stress and Meloidogyne incognita Infection on Cotton Yield and Fiber Quality.

Both water deficit stress and Meloidogyne incognita infection can reduce cotton growth and yield, and drought can affect fiber quality, but the effect of nematodes on fiber quality is not well documented. To determine whether nematode parasitism affects fiber quality and whether the combined effects of nematode and drought stress on yield and quality are additive (independent effects), synergistic, or antagonistic, we conducted a study for 7 yr in a field infested with M. incognita. A split-plot design was used with the main plot factor as one of three irrigation treatments (low [nonirrigated], moderate irrigation, and high irrigation [water-replete]) and the subplot factor as 0 or 56 l/ha 1,3-dichloropropene. We prevented water deficit stress in plots designated as water-replete by supplementing rainfall with irrigation. Plots receiving moderate irrigation received half the water applied to the water-replete treatment. The severity of root galling was greater in nonfumigated plots and in plots receiving the least irrigation, but the amount of irrigation did not influence the effect of fumigation on root galling (no irrigation × fumigation interaction). The weights of lint and seed harvested were reduced in nonfumigated plots and also decreased as the level of irrigation decreased, but fumigation did not influence the effect of irrigation. Nematodes affected fiber quality by increasing micronaire readings but typically had little or no effect on percent lint, fiber length (measured by HVI), uniformity, strength, elongation, length (based on weight or number measured by AFIS), upper quartile length, or short fiber content (based on weight or number). Micronaire also was increased by water deficit stress, but the effects from nematodes and water stress were independent. We conclude that the detrimental effects caused to cotton yield and quality by nematode parasitism and water deficit stress are independent and therefore additive.