Effect of Far Red Light on Drought Resistance of Cotton

Abstract

The resistance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to drought stress was increased when plants, grown under a 9 h light period, received a 30 min far red (FR) illumination at the beginning of the dark period. With the addition of FR light, the plants displayed higher stomatal resistance and lower rate of transpiration. Therefore, with the addition of FR, the plants remained at higher leaf turgor potential during the period of drought stress when compared to plants stressed without the FR illumination. Thus FR illumination improved the water economy of the plants.