Plant Growth Regulators for Cotton Production in Changing Environment

Abstract

In the recent past, much interest has been generated for the commercial application of plant growth regulators in cotton production, especially in the eventual threat to climate change. Since the 1950s, a number of plant growth regulators are in use to improve quantity and quality of cotton produce. These substances are organic ones, unlike inorganic nutrients, which are applied in low concentrations to mainstream various physiological, biochemical, and anatomical processes during the life span. These organic substances constitute auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene that are applied to leverage seed germination and seedling vigor; upscale photosynthetic machinery, fruitfulness, and greater divergence of photoassimilates from source to sink; and improve tolerance to external vagaries and timely harvesting of crop ahead of weather onslaught. Other than these, brassinosteroids, jasmonates, and salicylic acid are also applied. The journey of application of various substances starts from seed treatment to final harvest. The growth and development of cotton crop are greatly interacted with ecological environments and other farm management practices. Therefore, rates and timings of application of various substances are adjusted in concurrence with its architectural growth and developmental habit in its growth cycle. The usage of plant growth regulators has been termed “shotgun” approach in the realm of climate-smart cotton production. This management tool is not only cost-effective but also ready to use during the season. The advancing footprints of climate change are to be mitigated by adaptation of strategies considering region-specific scenarios.