Gossypium Research Articles

Transient expression analysis of promoters of okra enation leaf curl virus in Nicotiana benthamiana, cotton and okra plants.

Viral promoters can be used to drive heterologous gene expression in transgenic plants. As part of our quest to look for new promoters, we have explored, for the first time, the promoters of okra enation leaf curl virus (OELCuV), a begomovirus infecting okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). The Rep and CP promoters of OELCuV fused with the gfp reporter gene, were expressed transiently in the natural host okra and the laboratory host cotton and Nicotiana benthamiana. The expression levels of the promoters were quantified through confocal laser scanning microscopy and GFP assay in N. benthamiana and okra. The results indicated that the Rep promoter was more active than the CP promoter, whose activity was similar to that of CaMV 35S promoter. Additionally, the Rep and CP promoters showed increase of expression, probably due to transactivation, when assayed following inoculation of OELCuV and betasatellite DNAs in cotton plants. A moderate increase in promoter activity in N. benthamiana was also seen, when assayed following the inoculation of the heterologous begomovirus Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus.

Remote Sensing-Based Monitoring of Cotton Growth and Its Response to Meteorological Factors

Cotton is an important economic crop and strategic resource. Monitoring its growth and analysing its response to meteorological factors are crucial for field management and yield estimation. This study selects the primary cotton-producing regions in northern Xinjiang as the study area. Firstly, using the Google Earth Engine cloud platform, the Cotton Mapping Index (CMI) was utilised to extract cotton planting areas from 2019 to 2023. Secondly, Sentinel-2A data were used to calculate the NDVI of cotton during the growing season and analyse its variation characteristics. Finally, correlation, lag, and partial correlation analyses were conducted between cotton NDVI and meteorological factors, including effective accumulated temperature, wind speed, precipitation, and solar shortwave radiation, to explore the response relationship. The results indicate the following: (1) The optimal classification threshold of CMI in the study area was determined to be 0.74, which was applied to extract cotton planting areas over the years. The overall classification accuracy achieved was 84.85%. The R2 value for the cotton area extracted by CMI compared to the cotton planting area in the statistical yearbook data is 0.98, with an average relative error of 16.84%. CMI’s classification use effectively distinguishes cotton from other major crops, such as wheat and corn, in the study area. Compared with different classification methods, CMI is more convenient and efficient for extracting cotton planting areas, contributing significantly to yield estimation and management. (2) We found that from 2019 to 2023, some fields were planted with cotton yearly. In order to prevent land degradation, a crop rotation system should be implemented, in which cotton rotates with other crops to reduce the rate of soil nutrient loss and achieve sustainable agricultural development. (3) NDVI can effectively monitor the spatiotemporal changes and regional variations in cotton growth. Sentinel-2 multi-spectral imagery possesses high spatial and temporal resolution, enabling effective monitoring of cotton growth, provision of cotton growth data for field managers, and application in cotton production management. Additionally, cotton yield estimation can be achieved by comparing the overall growth of cotton across different years. (4) Cotton NDVI exhibits a strong correlation with effective accumulated temperature and solar radiation, with the majority passing the significance test, suggesting a significant promotion effect on cotton growth by accumulated temperature and solar radiation. In cotton cultivation management, attention should be directed toward monitoring changes in accumulated temperature and solar radiation. Moreover, NDVI changes in response to solar radiation exhibit a certain lag. The correlation between NDVI and precipitation is low, likely attributed to local cotton cultivation primarily relying on drip irrigation. Cotton NDVI is negatively correlated with wind speed. Cotton planting should consider weather changes and take corresponding preventive management measures. The research results have significant reference value for monitoring cotton growth, disaster prevention, and sustainable agricultural development.

Growth, dry matter and production components of cotton under phosphorus split application strategies

Compared with single application, the split application of phosphorus during sowing can enhance the efficiency of phosphate fertilization. In view of this, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of phosphorus split application on the growth, dry matter, and production components of the cotton plant. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at the Faculdade de Tecnologia of the Instituto Centro de Ensino Tecnológico Cariri (Fatec Cariri), located in the municipality of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (DIC), with four replications. The treatments were composed of a combination of different phosphorus split application strategies: T1 = no phosphorus; T2 = application of 100 % of the phosphorus at sowing (conventional way); T3 = application of 50 % of the phosphorus at sowing and of 50 % at 35 days after sowing; T4 = application of 70 % of the phosphorus at sowing and of 30 % at 35 days after sowing; and T5 = application of 30 % of the phosphorus at sowing and of 70 % at 35 days after sowing. The following variables were evaluated: plant height; absolute growth rate; stem diameter; number of leaves; root dry matter; total dry matter; and number of flower buds and bolls. The treatments significantly influenced all the variables analyzed. Based on the outcomes, it was found that the split application of phosphorus did not improve the growth, dry matter and production components of the cotton plant compared to the single application.

Preliminary Assessment of Alfalfa Crop Trap Strategy in Regulating Natural Predators for Aphis gossypii Glover Control

Aphis gossypii Glover is an important pest in cotton plantations. Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) is a host plant for the aphid Aphis craccivora Koch and may prove to be an important reservoir of natural enemies to combat this pest. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of different mowing frequencies of alfalfa traps on A. gossypii and their natural enemies, using both ground survey data and UAV remote sensing data. The alfalfa was mowed twice to facilitate the transfer of this primary natural enemy to the cotton fields. Ground surveys were carried out every five days to gather data, while temporal niche and niche overlap methods were used for further analysis. Findings collected over a period ranging from day 31 to day 91 indicated that compared to their counterparts with no alfalfa traps, the cotton fields containing these pest control measures demonstrated a reduction in the A. gossypii population of approximately 16%. A survey conducted 5 days after mowing the alfalfa on days 61 and 71 found that the cotton fields with alfalfa traps experienced a 24.14% and 26.09% reduction in A. gossypii numbers. In contrast, the cotton fields without alfalfa traps experienced a 76.92% and 55.08% increase in cotton aphid numbers during the same period. It is noteworthy that the cotton fields with alfalfa traps showed a delayed onset of cotton aphid damage of approximately 5 days compared to the fields without alfalfa traps. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the ecological control mechanism of A. gossypii within alfalfa traps. Planting alfalfa traps around fields in Xinjiang could be promoted as a method to prevent and control aphid damage.

Effect of the Oligosaccharid Fraction of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum on the Activity of Phenolic Metabolism Enzymes in Cotton Leaves

The synthesis of secondary metabolites, notably phenolic compounds, is part of the plant's defense reactions. The enzymes of phenolic metabolism can constitute a parameter of measurement of the defense of the plants. The aim of this work is to evaluate the activity of phenolic metabolism enzymes and an antioxidant enzyme after treatment of cotton plants with a fungal elicitor. Cotton plants obtained from the cultivar Y764AG3 were treated with the oligosaccharide fraction (FOS) of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Vasinfectum (FOV). The extraction of the enzymes is carried out cold by grinding the leaves in extraction buffer in the presence of PVP (0.5 %) and 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer. The supernatant obtained after centrifugation of the filtrate was purified with Dowex-2 in order to obtain the purified enzymatic fraction. This fraction was used for the determination of enzyme activity by reading the absorbances. The results showed that the activity of ammonia-lyase activity was higher in the treated plants than in the control. This reflects an increase in the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in the treated plants. On the other hand, oxidoreductase activity was higher in control plants than in treated plants. This indicates a decrease in the degradation of phenolic compounds in the treated plants. This study revealed the existence of an active phenolic metabolism in the FOS-treated plants. Thus defence mechanisms are activated in plants treated with the oligosaccharide fraction of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Vasinfectum.

Symphonies of Growth: Unveiling the Impact of Sound Waves on Plant Physiology and Productivity.

The application of sound wave technology to different plant species has revealed that variations in the Hz, sound pressure intensity, treatment duration, and type of setup of the sound source significantly impact the plant performance. A study conducted on cotton plants treated with Plant Acoustic Frequency Technology (PAFT) highlighted improvements across various growth metrics. In particular, the treated samples showed increases in the height, size of the fourth expanded leaf from the final one, count of branches carrying bolls, quantity of bolls, and weight of individual bolls. Another study showed how the impact of a 4 kHz sound stimulus positively promoted plant drought tolerance. In other cases, such as in transgenic rice plants, GUS expression was upregulated at 250 Hz but downregulated at 50 Hz. In the same way, sound frequencies have been found to enhance the osmotic potential, with the highest observed in samples treated with frequencies of 0.5 and 0.8 kHz compared to the control. Furthermore, a sound treatment with a frequency of 0.4 kHz and a sound pressure level (SPL) of 106 dB significantly increased the paddy rice germination index, as evidenced by an increase in the stem height and relative fresh weight. This paper presents a complete, rationalized and updated review of the literature on the effects of sound waves on the physiology and growth parameters of sound-treated plants.

Sublethal effects of a commercial Bt product and Bt cotton flowers on the bollworm (Helicoverpa zea) with impacts to predation from a lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens).

Insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins produced by transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants have become an essential component of cotton pest management. Bt toxins are the primary management tool in transgenic cotton for lepidopteran pests, the most important of which is the bollworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the United States (U.S.). However, bollworm larvae that survive after consuming Bt toxins may experience sublethal effects, which could alter interactions with other organisms, such as natural enemies. Experiments were conducted to evaluate how sublethal effects of a commercial Bt product (Dipel) incorporated into artificial diet and from Bt cotton flowers impact predation from the convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), common in cotton fields of the mid-southern U.S. Sublethal effects were detected through reduced weight and slower development in bollworm larvae which fed on Dipel incorporated into artificial diet, Bollgard II, and Bollgard 3 cotton flowers. Sublethal effects from proteins incorporated into artificial diet were found to significantly alter predation from third instar lady beetle larvae. Predation of bollworm larvae also increased significantly after feeding for three days on a diet incorporated with Bt proteins. These results suggest that the changes in larval weight and development induced by Bt can be used to help predict consumption of bollworm larvae by the convergent lady beetle. These findings are essential to understanding the potential level of biological control in Bt cotton where lepidopteran larvae experience sublethal effects.

Experiments in Cotton and Conversion: Post-Abolition Labor and Community at the Mission of St. Joseph, Senegal

ABSTRACT A series of abolition and emancipation moments occurred over the nineteenth century, shifting orientations and structures of labor. The Agricultural Colony of St. Joseph, a Catholic mission in Senegal, illuminates some of the ways in which abolition rippled across the globe. Founded in 1863, St. Joseph’s was envisioned as a place where both proselytization and economic development would flourish. The mission was conceived of as a cotton plantation to address the international cotton shortage resulting from American Civil War. Cultivation was carried out by neophytes, most of whom were formerly enslaved individuals or refugees. This article explores the social and economic implications and repercussions of the St. Joseph cotton experiment, exploring how overseas abolition and emancipation shaped a nascent colonial community. Two interconnected histories emerge: one about the global economy, and the other a local narrative about the ways in which entanglement in missionization produced a new community.

Keap1 Negatively Regulates Transcription of Three Counter-Defense Genes and Susceptibility to Plant Toxin Gossypol in Helicoverpa armigera.

Expressions of a wide range of cytoprotective counter-defense genes are mainly regulated by the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway in response to oxidative stress from xenobiotics. Gossypol is the major antiherbivore secondary metabolite of cotton, but how the polyphagous pest Helicoverpa armigera copes with this phytochemical to utilize its favorite host plant cotton remains largely elusive. In this study, we first suppressed the Keap1 gene in newly hatched larvae of cotton bollworm by feeding them the siRNA diet for 4 days. All of the larvae were subsequently fed the artificial diet supplied with gossypol or the control diet for 5 days. We identified that the knockdown of the Keap1 gene significantly decreased larval mortality and significantly increased the percentages of larval survival, reaching the fourth instar, compared with ncsiRNA when exposed to a diet containing gossypol. Three counter-defense genes CYP9A17, CYP4L11 and UGT41B3, which were related to the induction or metabolism of gossypol according to the report before, were all significantly up-regulated after the knockdown of the Keap1 gene. The Antioxidant Response Elements (AREs) were also detected in the promoter regions of the three counter-defense genes above. These data indicate that the suppression of the Keap1 gene activates the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway, up-regulates the expressions of counter-defense genes involved in the resistance of oxidative stress and finally contributes to reducing the susceptibility of gossypol. Our results provide more knowledge about the transcriptional regulation mechanisms of counter-defense genes that enable the cotton bollworm to adapt to the diversity of host plants including cotton.

Co-localization and analysis of miR477b with fiber length quantitative trait loci in cotton.

Cotton is an important cash crop for the textile industry. However, the understanding of natural genetic variation of fiber elongation in relation to miRNA is lacking. A miRNA gene (miR477b) was found to co-localize with a previously mapped fiber length (FL) quantitative trait locus (QTL). The miR477b was differentially expressed during fiber elongation between two backcross inbred lines (BILs) differing in FL and its precursor sequences. Bioinformatics and qRT-PCR analysis were further used to analyse the miRNA genes, which could produce mature miR477b. Cotton plants with virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) constructs to over-express the allele of miR477b from the BIL with longer fibers had significantly longer fibers as compared with negative control plants, while the VIGS plants with suppressed miRNA expression had significantly shorter fibers. The expression level of the target gene (DELLA) and related genes (RDL1 and EXPA1 for DELLA through HOX3 protein) in the two BILs and/or the VIGS plants were generally congruent, as expected. This report represents one of the first comprehensive studies to integrate QTL linkage mapping and physical mapping of small RNAs with both small and mRNA transcriptome analysis, followed by VIGS, to identify candidate small RNA genes affecting the natural variation of fiber elongation in cotton.

Engineering DMNT emission in cotton enhances direct and indirect defense against mirid bugs

IntroductionAs an important herbivore-induced plant volatile, (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) is known for its defensive role against multiple insect pests, including attracting natural enemies. A terpene synthase (GhTPS14) and two cytochrome P450 (GhCYP82L1, GhCYP82L2) enzymes are involved in the de novo synthesis of DMNT in cotton. We conducted a study to test the potential of manipulating DMNT-synthesizing enzymes to enhance plant resistance to insects. ObjectivesTo manipulate DMNT emissions in cotton and generate cotton lines with increased resistance to mirid bug Apolygus lucorum. MethodsBiosynthesis and emission of DMNT by cotton plants were altered using CRISPR/Cas9 and overexpression approaches. Dynamic headspace sampling and GC–MS analysis were used to collect, identify and quantify volatiles. The attractiveness and suitability of cotton lines against mirid bug and its parasitoid Peristenus spretus were evaluated through various assays. ResultsNo DMNT emission was detected in knockout CAS-L1L2 line, where both GhCYP82L1 and GhCYP82L2 were knocked out. In contrast, gene-overexpressed lines released higher amounts of DMNT when infested by A. lucorum. At the flowering stage, L114 (co-overexpressing GhCYP82L1 and GhTPS14) emitted 10–15-fold higher amounts than controls. DMNT emission in overexpressed transgenic lines could be triggered by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. Apolygus lucorum and its parasitoid were far less attracted to the double edited CAS-L1L2 plants, however, co-overexpressed line L114 significantly attracted bugs and female wasps. A high dose of DMNT, comparable to the emission of L114, significantly inhibited the growth of A. lucorum, and further resulted in higher mortalities. ConclusionTurning down DMNT emission attenuated the behavioral preferences of A. lucorum to cotton. Genetically modified cotton plants with elevated DMNT emission not only recruited parasitoids to enhance indirect defense, but also formed an ecological trap to kill the bugs. Therefore, manipulation of DMNT biosynthesis and emission in plants presents a promising strategy for controlling mirid bugs.

A cotton mitochondrial alternative electron transporter, GhD2HGDH, induces early flowering by modulating GA and photoperiodic pathways.

D-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase (D2HGDH) is a mitochondrial enzyme containing flavin adenine dinucleotide FAD, existing as a dimer, and it facilitates the specific oxidation of D-2HG to 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG), which is a key intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. A Genome-wide expression analysis (GWEA) has indicated an association between GhD2HGDH and flowering time. To further explore the role of GhD2HGDH, we performed a comprehensive investigation encompassing phenotyping, physiology, metabolomics, and transcriptomics in Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing GhD2HGDH. Transcriptomic and qRT-PCR data exhibited heightened expression of GhD2HGDH in upland cotton flowers. Additionally, early-maturing cotton exhibited higher expression of GhD2HGDH across all tissues than delayed-maturing cotton. Subcellular localization confirmed its presence in the mitochondria. Overexpression of GhD2HGDH in Arabidopsis resulted in early flowering. Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), we investigated the impact of GhD2HGDH on flowering in both early- and delayed-maturing cotton plants. Manipulation of GhD2HGDH expression levels led to changes in photosynthetic pigment and gas exchange attributes. GhD2HGDH responded to gibberellin (GA3) hormone treatment, influencing the expression of GA biosynthesis genes and repressing DELLA genes. Protein interaction studies, including yeast two-hybrid, luciferase complementation (LUC), and GST pull-down assays, confirmed the interaction between GhD2HGDH and GhSOX (Sulfite oxidase). The metabolomics analysis demonstrated GhD2HGDH's modulation of the TCA cycle through alterations in various metabolite levels. Transcriptome data revealed that GhD2HGDH overexpression triggers early flowering by modulating the GA3 and photoperiodic pathways of the flowering core factor genes. Taken together, GhD2HGDH positively regulates the network of genes associated with early flowering pathways.

Synthesis of activated carbon from cotton plant by-products in Vietnam to remove methylene blue and congo red

Activated carbon from cottonwood was synthesized by microwave-assisted method with activator NaOH. Activated carbon from cottonwood has a rough surface like coral, an amorphous structure with surface functional groups such as O–H, C–H, C=C, and C–O. The surface area and pore size were recorded at 395.48 m2 g−1 and 2.35 nm. The adsorption capacity of activated carbon from cottonwood was evaluated on two groups of anion dyes (congo red) and cation dye (methylene blue) to evaluate the influencing factors and predict the adsorption process. The best adsorption conditions were recorded for methylene blue (time: 30 min, temperature: 30 °C, pH: 10, activated carbon from cottonwood of 1 g L−1, methylene blue of 80 mg L−1, and adsorption capacity of 30.875 mg g−1) and congo red (time: 150 min, temperature: 60 °C, pH: 2, activated carbon from cottonwood of 2 g L−1, congo red of 100 mg L−1, and adsorption capacity of 45.97 mg g−1), respectively. The adsorption process was consistent with the Bangham kinetic and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherm model. The process of evaluating reusability shows that activated carbon from cottonwood can be reused 4 times.

Drip fertigation and crop management in Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2014 and 2015 at Rahuri, Maharashtra, to study the effect of deficit irrigation, fertigation and planting techniques on growth, yield and quality parameters of Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Scheduling of irrigation at 1.0 ETc recorded significantly maximum growth, yield attributes and seed-cotton yield of Bt cotton, being at par with 0.8 ETc irrigation regime. Maximum and significantly higher seed-cotton yield was recorded in 1.0 ETc irrigation regime (3.3 t/ha), being at par with 0.8 ETc irrigation regime (3.1 t/ha) on pooled mean basis. Planting of Bt cotton at 90 cm × 90 cm was found superior to 150 cm × 60 cm in respect of growth, yield attributes and seed-cotton yield of Bt cotton. Planting of Bt cotton at 90 cm × 90 cm resulted in significantly higher seed-cotton yield (3.3 t/ha) than 150 cm × 60 cm planting (2.3 t/ha) on pooled mean basis. Fertigation of 100% GRDF up to 100 days + 20 kg MgSO4 /ha and 25 kg ZnSO4 /ha up to flowering at weekly interval + foliar spray of Fe (1.0 %) and B (0.5 %) at flowering and boll-development stages was found suitable for achieving the maximum growth, yield attributes and seed-cotton yield (3.1 t/ha) of Bt cotton. The maximum water use efficiency was obtained with 0.6 ETc irrigation regime (7.00 kg/ha-cm), followed by 0.8 ETc irrigation regime during both the years.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy and Simple Algorithm Analysis for Rapid and Non-Destructive Assessment of Cotton Fiber Maturity and Crystallinity for Plant Mapping.

Information on boll distribution within a cotton plant is critical to evaluate the adaptation and response of cotton plants to environmental and biotic stress in cotton production. Cotton researchers have applied available conventional fiber measurements, such as the high volume instrument (HVI) and advanced fiber information system (AFIS), to map the location and the timing of boll development and distribution within plants and further to determine within-plant variability of cotton fiber properties. Both HVI and AFIS require numerous cotton bolls combined for the measurement. As an alternative approach, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy was proposed to measure fiber maturity (MIR) and crystallinity (CIIR) of a sample as little as 0.5 mg lint. Extending fiber maturity and crystallinity measurement into a single boll for node-by-node mapping, FT-IR method might be advantageous due to less sampling amount compared with HVI and AFIS methods. Results showed that FT-IR technique enabled the evaluation of fiber MIR and CIIR at a boll level, which resulted in average MIR and CIIR values highly correlated with HVI micronaire (MIC) and AFIS maturity ratio (M). Hence, FT-IR technique possesses a good potential for a rapid and non-destructive node-by-node mapping of cotton boll maturity and crystallinity distribution.

Detection of cotton leaf disease with machine learning model

This study aims to use a machine learning (ML) model to accurately classify four datasets of cotton crop leaves as either infected or healthy. Bacterial blight, Curly virus, Fussarium Wilt, and healthy leaves were used as the datasets for the study. ML is a useful tool in detecting cotton leaf diseases and can minimize the rate of disease. The problem is that without machine learning technique it is very difficult and time consuming to detect the diseases then to sort out this problem a machine learning model is proposed and to test the accuracy of the proposed model, the confusion matrix concept was used. The researchers have done their research works to diagnose the diseases by using (ML) model but the drawback of their research was that the results which were given by the different (ML) models were not accurate. The target of the study was to identify diseases affecting the cotton plant in the early stages using traditional techniques. However, utilizing various image processing techniques and machine learning algorithms, including a convolutional neural network, proved to be helpful in diagnosing the diseases. This technological approach can simplify the detection of damaged leaves and minimize the efforts of farmers in detecting those diseases. Cotton is a natural fiber produced on a large scale, and it is grown on 2.5% of overall agronomic land. The detection of cotton leaf diseases is crucial to maintain the crop's productivity and provide reliable earnings to farmers. A confusion matrix is N X N matrix used for evaluating the performance of a classification model, where N is the number of target classes. The matrix compares the actual target values with those predicted by machine learning model. This technique has four parameters to test the accuracy of the results which is given in my research work.

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT FOR CHARACTERIZATION AND QUALITY OF BT COTTON SEEDS

The study highlights diverse methodologies employed for seed quality assessment and characterization, including genetic, biochemical, and physiological analyses. In our present study, PCR and ELISA based techniques was adopted to identify the specific Cry1Ac gene and proteins in MECH 162 and RCH2 transgenic cotton plants. MECH 162 of 21.9ug/g and RCH2 of 17.37ug/g of seed protein was extracted. PCR analysis confirmed that gene specific CRY1Ac F/R primer as amplicon size of 550 bp for Bt gene, 600bp for NptII gene and 200bp for 35s promoter gene. The ELISA method was used for the validation of the developed assay, also ELISA needed simple equipment and took less time. Insights into the integration of these strategies into breeding programs are provided, emphasizing their crucial role in ensuring the production of high-quality Bt cotton seeds with improved agronomic performance and yield potential.

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT SOWING METHODS, FERTILIZER RATES, PINCHING AND HARVESTING TERMS ON YIELD AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF COTTON VARIETIES

In accordance with increasing the fertility and fiber quality indicators of the cotton plant various research works are being conducted. The agrotechnical techniques applied in the research had a diverse effect on cotton varieties fertility increase. More yield was obtained in both varieties with 90x10x1 (111 thousand plants) sowing scheme, N100P50K40 fertilizer rate, pinching on August 1 and harvesting on September 25. Fertility was 37,6 cent/ha in Ganja-103 variety and 43,7 cent/ha in Ganja-110 variety. Depending on agrotechnical techniques, the economic indicators of both varieties differed to some extent. In the Ganja-103 variety, the highest indicator was observed in the version of 90x10x1 (111 thousand plants) sowing scheme, N100P50K40 fertilizer rate, pinching on August 1 and harvesting on September 25 version, the net produce in that version was 1610 manat and profitability level as 133,1 %. In the Ganja-110 variety, of 90x10x1 (111 thousand plants) sowing scheme, N100P50K40 fertilizer rate, pinching on August 1 and harvesting on September 25 version net produce was 1980 manat and profitability level as 152,7 %. Economic indicators in Ganja-110 variety were higher.

Straw-derived biochar incorporation improves seedcotton yield and fiber quality by optimizing photosynthetic carbon and nutrients partitioning and boll formation patterns

Synergistic improvement of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and quality is necessary to meet the demands of the textile industry. Straw or biochar addition has been shown to increase boll number and hence yield, while optimizing reproductive growth processes (e.g., accelerating boll formation during the effective boll-setting period) is essential for improving fiber quality. However, it remains unclear how straw and biochar affect boll formation dynamics and whether they can simultaneously improve cotton yield and fiber quality. In order to reveal the mechanism of simultaneous improvement of cotton yield and quality, this study investigated the responses of plant photosynthetic carbon allocation, bud and boll dynamics, seedcotton yield, and fiber quality to different straw returning modes. A 7- year field experiment was performed with four straw treatments: no straw or biochar addition (CK); straw-derived biochar incorporation (SBI); straw incorporation (SI); and straw mulching (SM). The results suggested that SBI, SI and SM remarkably increased the seedcotton yield (24.5–30.7 %, 12.6–20.4 % and 4.7 %-11.0 %), fiber length (3.6–6.7 %, 4.0–9.5 % and 2.4–7.1 %) and fiber strength (8.0–13.0 %, 6.2–10.7 % and 4.4–5.7 %) from 2019 to 2021, compared with CK. There was a strong consistency between seedcotton yield and fiber strength among straw returning modes, and were highest under SBI, followed by SI and SM. Compared with CK, SBI significantly increased nutrients and photosynthetic carbon accumulation in cotton plant, and enhanced their distribution proportion in reproductive organs. This increased the number of fruiting branches, number of fruiting sites and ratio of fruiting sites to fruiting branches, accelerated budding and reduced the shedding rate of buds and bolls. Finally, SBI obtained the highest boll forming rate during the boll formation stage, as well as the highest effective boll number at the harvest stage. Overall, returning straw-derived biochar into soils optimized the allocation of nutrients and photosynthetic carbon in cotton plant, and accelerated the formation of cotton bolls from peak flowering stage to peak boll setting stage, thereby improving seedcotton yield and fiber quality. This work provides practical guidance for improving seedcotton yield, fiber quality, and the utilization of straw resources.

Gossypol acetic acid regulates leukemia stem cells by degrading LRPPRC via inhibiting IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling or resulting mitochondrial dysfunction.

Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are found to be one of the main factors contributing to poor therapeutic effects in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as they are protected by the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) against conventional therapies. Gossypol acetic acid (GAA), which is extracted from the seeds of cotton plants, exerts anti-tumor roles in several types of cancer and has been reported to induce apoptosis of LSCs by inhibiting Bcl2. To investigate the exact roles of GAA in regulating LSCs under different microenvironments and the exact mechanism. In this study, LSCs were magnetically sorted from AML cell lines and the CD34+CD38- population was obtained. The expression of leucine-rich pentatricopeptide repeat-containing protein (LRPPRC) and forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) was evaluated in LSCs, and the effects of GAA on malignancies and mitochondrial function were measured. LRPPRC was found to be upregulated, and GAA inhibited cell proliferation by degrading LRPPRC. GAA induced LRPPRC degradation and inhibited the activation of interleukin 6 (IL-6)/janus kinase (JAK) 1/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 signaling, enhancing chemosensitivity in LSCs against conventional chemotherapies, including L-Asparaginase, Dexamethasone, and cytarabine. GAA was also found to downregulate FOXM1 indirectly by regulating LRPPRC. Furthermore, GAA induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, disturbed mitochondrial homeostasis, and caused mitochondrial dysfunction. By inhibiting IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling via degrading LRPPRC, GAA resulted in the elimination of LSCs. Meanwhile, GAA induced oxidative stress and subsequent cell damage by causing mitochondrial damage. Taken together, the results indicate that GAA might overcome the BMM protective effect and be considered as a novel and effective combination therapy for AML.