Fiber Quality Parameters Research Articles

Effect of Cleaning Methods on Trash Contents and Fibre Quality for Seed Cotton

The present study was carried out at Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India during May to December, 2017 to evaluate the effect of mechanical cleaning methods on mechanically harvested cotton. The treatments consisted of three cotton cleaning methods viz. Boll Crusher cum Seed-Cotton Extractor, Pre-cleaner and On-board cleaner (field cleaner). The comparative performance of these methods was evaluated in terms of cotton fibre quality parameters viz. span length, uniformity ratio, elongation (%), micronaire (%), fibre strength (g tex-1) and reflectance of cotton lint etc. The minimum trash content (seed cotton basis) was observed for boll crusher+pre-cleaner (5.17%) and maximum for on-board cleaner (21.4 %). The 2.5% span length for the manual was observed maximum (26.04 mm) and the minimum for boll crusher+pre-cleaner (23.83 mm). The uniformity ratio observed was minimum for manual (45.99) and maximum for boll crusher+pre-cleaner (47.29). The micronaire for the manual was observed as a minimum (3.97%) and maximum for boll crusher+pre-cleaner (3.57%). The fibre strength for manual (20.50 g tex-1) was maximum whereas it was minimum for boll crusher+pre-cleaner (19.36 g tex-1). The reflectance for manual (0.87) was observed as minimum and maximum for boll crusher+pre-cleaner (0.81). Based upon the fiber quality parameters of harvested cotton cleaned by boll crusher machine was of superior quality but it was inferior in quality for the boll crusher+pre-cleaner machine.

Cotton Fiber Quality Estimation Based on Machine Learning Using Time Series UAV Remote Sensing Data

As an important factor determining the competitiveness of raw cotton, cotton fiber quality has received more and more attention. The results of traditional detection methods are accurate, but the sampling cost is high and has a hysteresis, which makes it difficult to measure cotton fiber quality parameters in real time and at a large scale. The purpose of this study is to use time-series UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) multispectral and RGB remote sensing images combined with machine learning to model four main quality indicators of cotton fibers. A deep learning algorithm is used to identify and extract cotton boll pixels in remote sensing images and improve the accuracy of quantitative extraction of spectral features. In order to simplify the input parameters of the model, the stepwise sensitivity analysis method is used to eliminate redundant variables and obtain the optimal input feature set. The results of this study show that the R2 of the prediction model established by a neural network is improved by 29.67% compared with the model established by linear regression. When the spectral index is calculated after removing the soil pixels used for prediction, R2 is improved by 4.01% compared with the ordinary method. The prediction model can well predict the average length, uniformity index, and micronaire value of the upper half. R2 is 0.8250, 0.8014, and 0.7722, respectively. This study provides a method to predict the cotton fiber quality in a large area without manual sampling, which provides a new idea for variety breeding and commercial decision-making in the cotton industry.

Overexpression of an actin Gh_D04G0865 gene in cotton reduced fineness of fiber

AbstractCotton fibers are the world's most important renewable source of fiber for textile industry. The cell wall of cotton fiber determines fiber quality parameters for textile industry. The thickness of secondary cell wall and the fiber perimeter define the fineness and micronaire (MIC) of cotton fiber. The fineness of cotton fiber plays an important role in affecting the yarn quality. Actin cytoskeleton impacts the cell extension and shape, however how it affects secondary cell wall is unclear. We overexpressed the actin isovariant Gh_D04G0865 (previously shown mutation in this gene impaired fiber length) under fiber‐specific promoter in cotton. We obtained two independent transgenic lines. Fiber characteristics of their first‐generation progenies were evaluated by high volume instrument (HVI), advanced fiber information system (AFIS), Cottonscope, and Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. Fiber of transgenic lines with excessive expression of actin showed significant reduction in MIC and fineness, while increase in strength. Seed index was increased in transgenic lines overexpressing actin. FT‐IR analysis detected changes in vibrations associated with crystalline cellulose. Taken together, our findings revealed that actin cytoskeleton may play roles in reducing fiber wall thickening process during secondary cell wall biosynthesis.

Plant population density in cotton: Addressing knowledge gaps in stand uniformity and lint quality under dryland and irrigated conditions

A recent literature review and data synthesis better defined the yield curve with plant population density in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), but it also highlighted gaps in knowledge. Few cotton plant population studies have been conducted in relatively low-yielding dryland conditions; fewer have considered the impact of uneven crop stands, which are common in actual field conditions due to planting equipment errors and seed/plant mortality; and population reports that include fiber quality measurements by Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) testing are lacking (rather than just the standard High Volume Instrument (HVI) measurements). To address these issues, a study was conducted in North Texas, USA with treatment combinations of two irrigation levels (0% and 90% ET replacement), five plant population densities (15,000, 30,000, 60,000, 90,000, and 120,000 plants ha-1), and two stand uniformities (even and uneven plant-to-plant spacing within rows). Canopy development was tracked by unmanned aircraft system (UAS) measurements, late-season measurements were taken of boll density and size, and lint yield and quality measurements were collected at maturity. Lint yield was unaffected by plant population density in 2020 (i.e. 15,000–120,000 plants ha-1), whereas an interaction between irrigation and plant population occurred in 2021. Lint yield was reduced by 19% with 15,000 plants ha-1 relative to 120,000 plants ha-1 under only irrigated conditions in 2021. There was no substantial or consistent effect of stand uniformity on any response variable in either year. Poor stand quality is often the basis for terminating and replanting or replacing troubled cotton crops, but these results suggest this is not justified when overall population density is 30,000 plants ha-1 or greater, depending on production environment. The risk of yield loss is clearly greater when overall plant density decreases below this level, especially in higher-yielding conditions, but the economic tradeoffs of replanting or replacing the crop must be considered. In the cotton plant, yield compensation for low plant density and uneven stands occurred primarily by increased boll number per plant and secondarily by increased boll size. Fiber quality parameters as measured by HVI and AFIS were minimally and inconsistently affected by population density and stand uniformity, suggesting that population dynamics are not critical factors cotton producers must consider in optimizing the fiber quality of their product.

Tolerance of cotton to certain biotic factors and fiber quality parameters of the ridges created by simple and complex hybridization

Among the strains derived from simple hybrids studied in the experiments, T-3 T-9, T-18 and strains T-43, T-53, T-57 and 60 from strains derived from complex hybrids were resistant to gommosis and wilt diseases. As a result of several years of research, it was found that the ridges obtained from complex hybrids were less affected by gommosis and wilt diseases than the ridges obtained as a result of simple hybridization. It was found that wilt disease was 3-4 times more resistant in the ridges created as a result of simple and complex hybridization compared to the model seed. Lines T-155, T-158, T-163, T-167, T-188 and T-208 from simple hybrids of cotton and lines T-212, T-215, T-220 and T-222 from complex hybrids are other It was determined that the quality of the fiber meets the requirements of the world standards in relation to the ridges and pattern type. In the studied samples, the families of ridges that do not have positive quality indicators such as fiber micronaire, yarn elasticity coefficient, fiber length, relative tensile strength and fiber uniformity are discarded, and experiments are carried out in the following years in order to incorporate new ridges that meet the requirements of the world standard with other economically valuable characteristics detached to continue.

Analysis of the relationship between cotton fiber quality and weather conditions in the southeast of Stavropol Territory

Background. Climate change leads to the worsening of cotton cultivation conditions in traditional cotton-producing countries, which, in its turn, can produce a positive impact on cotton cultivation in Russia. Assessment of the variability of fiber quality parameters in breeding lines and the effect of weather conditions in the east of Stavropol Territory will help to identify breeding trends and agricultural practices for this area.Materials and methods. The fiber produced in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2019 by 30 breeding lines grown at Prikumskaya Experimental Breeding Station (Budennovsk, Stavropol Territory) was analyzed under the HVI system in Moscow and Kamyshyn. We compared the variability of fiber quality parameters by sampling over the years of research and conducted ANOVA and correlation analyses of the quality traits and temperature and rainfall indicators. Excel 2016 and Statistica 7 were used.Results and discussion. An analysis of the variability in individual fiber quality parameters showed that they reacted differently to changing weather; particularly sensitive were fiber strength and micronaire. A strong negative correlation was observed between these characters (r = –0.82), and they were most significantly affected by the temperature and precipitation in August. A hot and dry August contributed to the formation of fiber type 1–3, corresponding to the fiber of Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.), in plants with habitus and earliness of G. hirsutum L. Under relatively cool and humid conditions of 2009 and 2012, the fiber of most lines was typical for the upland type. Knowledge of the relationship between fiber quality and weather conditions during the fiber development period will help to predict the quality of cotton fiber in advance and prognosticate its utilization.

Cotton fiber quality response to nitrogen depends on source-sink process, boll growth habit, and weather condition

Nitrogen can be critical in determining fiber yield and quality in cotton. Major purpose of this 3-years (2017, 2018, and 2019) study in Faizabad-Iran was to investigate the effect of nitrogen rates, excess on the need for maximum yield and its interaction with environment on fiber quality of bolls with different spatial and temporal distribution in cotton canopy. Field experiment was a split-plot design with four replications. Main plots included two nitrogen rates (LN: 100 and HN: 200 kg ha −1 ). Sub plots included four boll growth habits: U P E R –Upper bolls Early in the season; L O E R –Lower bolls Early in the season; U P L A –Upper bolls Late in the season; L O L A –Lower bolls Late in the season. Results showed that fiber yield and fiber quality in terms of fiber uniformity and fiber strength were not affected by experimental factors and their interactions. In all years, LN led to an optimum micronaire (3.5–4.9 µg inch −1 ) and medium length (25.4–28.6 mm) fibers in all growth habits. However, in 2017, HN combined with lower temperature (25.2 °C) during the boll development decreased LAI to boll number ratio (source restriction), delayed maturity, and shifted fiber yield to U P L A boll growth habit with fine (micronaire < 3.5 µg inch −1 ) and short length (< 25.4 mm) fibers. In 2018 and 2019 with 1.7 °C and 2.3 °C higher temperatures than 2017, HN increased LAI to boll number ratio (sink restriction), led accelerated maturity, and shifted fiber yield to U P E R and L O E R boll growth habits, while with the increase of nitrogen, the difference between growth habits in terms of fiber quality was observed only in 2018 that led to production of coarse (micronaire > 4.9 µg inch −1 ) and long length (> 28.6 mm) fibers in U P E R and L O E R growth habits. In 2019, the lowest lint yield distribution was observed in U P L A treatment, but the fiber quality parameters were similar in all growth habits. These results may conclude that nitrogen consumption, in excess of what required for maximum yield, affects the source-sink relationship and leads to the formation of bolls with different fiber quality within a canopy, and the response of these processes to nitrogen is affected by the environment. • High N did not improve fiber yield but decreased fiber quality. • Low N led to an optimum micronaire and medium-length fibers in all seasons. • In cold weather, high N led to fine and short fibers. • In warm weather, high N led to coarse and long length fibers. • High N changed lint yield contribution and its quality within canopy.

Morphological, physico-biochemical and marker-based diversity of desi cotton (Gossypium herbaceum L.) germplasm

Desi cotton (Gossypium herbaceum) is one of the important crops as it is valuable source of lint and spinnable fibre for textile industries. G. herbaceum is resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses and is sturdy crops species. The genetic diversity analysis of this crop is important for further improvement in its productivity to cap the gap between demand and supply of short staple cotton. Therefore, a set of 48 inbred lines of desi cotton were used in this study and their variability was estimated using morphological traits, yield parameters, seed physical properties, fibre quality parameters and seed chemical parameters. Similarly, 13 SSR and five ISSR markers were used for molecular diversity evaluation of germplasm. In this study, ANOVA showed significant differences among all genotypes for all the traits, demonstrating a substantial amount of genetic variability in studied genotypes. Morphological studies showed that genotype Radhanpur had higher seed yield (185.50 g/plant) and lint yield (68.60 g/plant). Physico-biochemical studies suggest that genotypes GVhv-845 had higher fibre strength (26.10 g/tex), Wagad (19.05%) was higher in oil and W8 (51.67%) had maximum seed protein. The Manhattan dissimilarity co-efficient based phenotypic diversity generated six main clusters. The average dissimilarity value among genotypes was 0.30, indicating moderate phenotypic variability. The dendrogram generated from pooled data of SSR and ISSR markers based on Jaccard’s similarity matrix grouped the genotypes into four main clusters. The genetic coefficient of similarity among the genotypes ranged from 0.15 to 0.70 with an average of 0.32. The present study revealed a low correlation between phenotypic and marker-based matrices(r = 0.09). Along with, low correlation, both the matrices placed a limited number of genotypes (nine) in the same clusters in their respective dendrograms. The low correlation indicated that the two methods were different and highly variable as molecular markers are neutral in behave than quantitative traits.

Economic penalties associated with irrigation during high rainfall years in the southeastern United States

Although cotton is a drought-tolerant crop, irrigation is still needed to ensure productivity, even in the humid Southeastern United States. Irrigation must be carefully managed to limit unnecessary water use while ensuring maximum economic productivity. To better understand the costs and net returns of irrigation and cultivar selection, field experiments were conducted in 2016 and 2017 to compare cotton lint yield and fiber quality in dryland plots and plots irrigated using the University of Georgia checkbook method (UGA Checkbook) at a field site near Camilla, Georgia. Results showed cultivar differences in fiber quality parameters of micronaire and uniformity in 2016, but there was no cultivar difference in fiber quality in 2017. Cultivar differences were not observed in yield or net returns for both years. However, stoplight chart analysis of net returns indicated differences in cultivar selection for irrigated or dryland production. ST 6182 GLB2 would be a better option for a producer to minimize downside risk under dryland conditions, and PHY 333 WRF would be a better option under irrigated production. Results also indicated that broadly applying simplistic water balance approaches could decrease yield, water productivity, and net returns, especially in environments where rainfall is sufficient yet unpredictable. Overirrigation affected some fiber quality parameters but did not impact the overall market price for cotton. In 2016, irrigating according to the UGA Checkbook method negatively impacted yield and net returns. In 2017, irrigation did not affect yield but negatively impacted net returns. Average losses in net returns associated with excessive irrigation in these two wet years were $336 per hectare for net return over irrigation variable costs, and $645 per hectare for net return over irrigation total costs. Implementing robust, efficient irrigation strategies is necessary to achieve high cotton yields, reduce water usage, and improve economic returns.

Development of Superior Fibre Quality Upland Cotton Cultivar Series 'Ravnaq' Using Marker-Assisted Selection.

Marker-assisted selection (MAS) helps to shorten breeding time as well as reduce breeding resources and efforts. In our MAS program, we have targeted one of previously reported LD-blocks with its simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker(s), putatively associated with, at least, four different fibre quality QTLs such as fibre length, strength, micronaire and uniformity. In order to transfer targeted QTLs from a donor genotype to a cultivar of choice, we selected G. hirsutum donor genotypes L-141 and LN-1, possessing a fibre quality trait-associated LD-block from the chromosome 7/16. We crossed the donor lines with local elite G. hirsutum cultivars ‘Andijan-35’ and ‘Mekhnat’ as recipients. As a result, two segregating populations on LD-block of interest containing fibre QTLs were developed through backcrossing (BC) of F1 hybrids with their relative recipients (used as recurrent parents) up to five generations. In each BC and segregating BC1-5F1 populations, a transfer of targeted LD-block/QTLs was monitored using a highly polymorphic SSR marker, BNL1604 genotype. The homozygous cultivar genotypes with superior fibre quality and agronomic traits, bearing a targeted LD-block of interest, were individually selected from self-pollinated BC5F1 (BC5F2–5) population plants using the early-season PCR screening analysis of BNL1604 marker locus and the end-of-season fibre quality parameters. Only improved hybrids with superior fibre quality compared to original recipient parent were used for the next cycle of breeding. We successfully developed two novel MAS-derived cotton cultivars (named as ‘Ravnaq-1’ and ‘Ravnaq-2’) of BC5F5 generations. Both novel MAS cultivars possessed stronger and longer fibre as well as improved fibre uniformity and micronaire compared to the original recurrent parents, ‘Andijan-35’ and ‘Mekhnat’. Our efforts demonstrated a precise transfer of the same LD-block with, at least, four superior fibre QTLs in the two independent MAS breeding experiments exploiting different parental genotypes. Results exemplify the feasibility of MAS in cotton breeding.

Prediction of Gene Action, Heterosis and Combining Ability to Identify Superior GMS Based Hybrids in Asiatic Cotton (G. arboreum L.)

The nature of gene action and combining ability is valuable in determining whether heterosis is fixable or predictable. Thus, to know the nature of gene action of seed cotton yield and its components and fibre quality parameters, seventeen parents (15 males and two genetic male sterile lines) and 30 F1 crosses (genetic male sterility based) were evaluated in a line x tester mating design of Asiatic cotton (Gossypium arboreum L). Sufficient variability among hybrids and their parents was found as the mean squares of genotypes for all the traits including fibre quality parameters investigated were significant. The total genetic variability was partitioned to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects. GCA was significant for male parents HD-123, RG-270, CISA-59, CISA-64, CISA-65, CISA-66 and LD-694 for seed cotton yield (SCY); HD-123, RG-286 and DLSA-24 for bolls per plant; HD-123, CISA-59, PAIG-8/3, DLSA-9 and LD-694 for boll weight; female parent DS-5, male parents HD-123, RG-18, CISA-65, and PAIG-8/3 for ginning outturn (GOT%); RG--270, RG-286, PAIG-8/3, DLSA-9 and LD-694 for 2.5% span length (mm); RG-286, CISA-59, CISA-66, PAIG-8/3 and LD-694 for lower micronaire value having finenessand HD-400, RG-270, RG-286, RG-341 CISA-60, CISA-66, PAIG-8/3 and LD-694 for tenacity (g/tex) which were considered as good general combiners. Similarly among 30 cross combinations, SCA was positively significant for 10 crosses for seed cotton yield, 10 crosses for boll number, 10 crosses for boll weight, 9 crosses for GOT(%), 10 crosses for 2.5% span length and 8 crosses for fibre strength (gt/tex).Cluster III of yield attributing traits, consisted of 9 crosses ( C3, C6, C18, C20, C26, C22, C23, C24, C30, and C8) showed the highest average seed cotton yield where as Cluster II of fibre quality traits consisted of 3 crosses ( C2, C12, C15) showed highest average GOT(%) with highest tenacity (g/tex). Cross DS-5 x HD 123for SCY and bolls per plant, DS-5 x DLSA 9 for boll weight, DS-5 x CISA 65 for GOT % , CISA-2 x CISA 66 for lower micronaire value (fibre fineness) showed significant estimation of heterosis in desirable direction and could be further utilized in the future breeding programme for specific trait improvement.

Low soil fertility impairs cotton yield in the early years of no-tillage over degraded pasture

No-till is one of the main techniques for soil conservation and the mitigation of negative climate impacts. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil fertility, nutrition, cotton yield, and the fiber quality of cotton under different soil tillage systems. The study was carried out in the field in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 crop seasons. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with five replications. No-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) farming were used in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 crop seasons. NT resulted in higher soil bulk density (0-35 cm) than CT. When compared to NT, the availability of calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, zinc, and pH were 120, 90, 43, 135, 49, 110, 41, and 8% higher in areas with CT, respectively. Boron content was 14% higher with NT (0-20 cm) than CT. Leaf concentrations of nitrogen, Ca, and Mg were higher with CT in both seasons, and B was higher with NT. However, in the second season (2018/2019), leaf concentrations of P, K, and sulfur were higher with NT than CT. When compared to NT, fiber yields were 75% and 32% higher with CT in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons, respectively; this corresponded to a difference of 757 and 420 kg ha-1 of fiber. However, no effects on fiber quality parameters were observed. NT limits the availability of most nutrients in soil in the early years of cotton cultivation; this reduces plant nutrition and fiber yield but has no effect on quality.

Effects of Shoot Apex Removal on Growth and Yield Attributes of Cotton

The current study was designed to investigate the effect of shoot apex removal on the growth and yield attributes of the cotton crop. A field experiment was conducted in the cotton-growing season (2020-2021) at Muzaffargarh, district of South Punjab. The field trial was comprised of two acres of land where one acre of land was considered as treatment (cotton plants with shoot apex removal) and the other acre of land served as a control plot (cotton plants without shoot apex removal). The data were collected fortnightly (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th times) from the randomly selected cotton plants (n=50) from the treated and control plot after fifteen days of treatment (shoot apex removal). The data were comprised of vegetative parameters (i.e., plant height, no. of nodes and leaves), reproductive parameters (i.e., no. of squares, flowers, immature/mature bolls, the opening of bolls and boll weight) and cotton fiber quality parameters [i.e., fiber length, strength, finesse and GOT (ginning outturn)]. Descriptive analysis was employed on all data recorded through an independent two-sample t-test to evaluate the positive effect of shoot apex removal in cotton production. Our results indicated that after removing the top shoot of the cotton plants, greater effects had started to occur in the treated plants such as vegetative growth had become significantly (at p≤0.001) slow down and reproductive growth considerably (at p≤0.01) enhanced. Besides, removal of the shoot apex in cotton plants has developed resistance against the sucking pest i.e., pink bollworm infestation significantly reduced by 50% and whitefly population has lessened by 11%. The results also indicated that this treatment significantly augmented (at p≤0.01) the boll weight by 12%, as well as improved the cotton fiber length, strength and fineness by 7% as compared to the normal cotton plant. It was concluded that shoot apex removal caused cotton plants to produce numerous lateral shoots to develop more branches to carry more cotton bolls on them eventually significantly enhancing the cotton yield by 13% (18 monds acre-1) as compared to the control plot. It can be suggested that the practical implementation of removing the shoot apex of the cotton plant would act as a promising technique to enhance the cotton yield.

Comparison Of Yield and Fiber Properties by Correlation, Biplot and Cluster Analysis in Some Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Hybrids

Cotton is the most important fiber crop. Seed cotton yield, ginning outturn, lint yield, some fiber quality parameters and adaptation capability of eleven hybrid (F5-6) cotton genotype were assessed in this study at Antalya/Türkiye conditions. The study was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications in 2017 and 2018. The level and significance of the relationships between genotype-traits and traits were determined by correlation, biplot and cluster analysis. Resulting, hybrid lines which 1102 for seed cotton yield and fiber yield, 1008 for seed cotton yield, ginning outturn and fiber yield, 1019 and 1103 for all the characters and Gloria cultivar for fiber parameters were significant. In addition, hybrids which line 1115 for seed cotton yield, fiber yield, spinning consistency index and fiber maturity, lines 1005, 1006, 1101, 1102, 1105 and Sure Grow 125 cultivar were found insignificant due to their high short fiber content. The fiber yield showed significant and positive correlation with seed cotton yield, ginning outturn, fiber maturity and fiber fineness, which were not affected by the year difference. The spinning consistency index determined by the combination of a plurality of fiber properties, it has always been found to have very important and positive correlation with fiber length, fiber strength and fiber uniformity index, negligible but positive with ginning outturn, whereas short fiber index was always significantly and negatively correlated.

Effect of Genotypes and Planting Dates on Yield and Fibre Quality Parameters of Cotton

Effect of Genotypes and Planting Dates on Yield and Fibre Quality Parameters of Cotton

Effect of Plant Spacings on Growth, Physiology, Yield and Fiber Quality Attributes of Cotton Genotypes under Nitrogen Fertilization

Cotton is a major cash crop of Pakistan that provides high foreign exchange and plays an important role in agriculture, industry, and economic development. The plant population is important in achieving high cotton yield and fiber quality attributes in irrigated conditions. Most farmers maintain plant spacing according to their local tradition, and often ignore the varietal characteristics in Pakistan that cause low yield and poor quality of products. Therefore, standardization of plant spacings according to varietal characteristics is important to achieve higher yield and fiber quality. A field experiment was carried out at the Agronomic Research Area, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan in 2017, in order to evaluate the performance of four cotton cultivars (MNH-1016, FH-Lalazar, NIAB-878, and Cyto-124) under five plant spacings (15.0, 22.5, 30.0, 37.5, and 45.0 cm), comparing them with and without nitrogen application. Nitrogen fertilization was applied at the rate of 197 kg ha−1. The experiment was replicated thrice, as per Randomized Complete Block Design with factorial arrangements. The results showed that nitrogen application of 197 kg ha−1 showed a positive impact on all crop parameters compared to plots where no nitrogen fertilizer was applied. The wider plant spacing (45 cm) increased the values of many cotton parameters compared with other plant spacings (22.5, 30.0, 37.5 and 45.0 cm), but the seed cotton yield was found to be higher in the narrow plant spacing (15 cm). However, fiber quality parameters such as GOT, staple strength, and micronaire showed higher values under wider plant spacing (45.0 cm). The varieties showed a mixed effect on cotton productivity and fiber quality. The MNH-1016 significantly impacted yield-contributing parameters such as bolls plant−1, boll weight and seed cotton yield. The NIAB-878 showed a higher photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance compared to other varieties. Therefore, the wider plant spacing with nitrogen application could be a better strategy to increase cotton growth, yield, physiology, and fiber quality. However, long-term studies under different climatic conditions are suggested for wider plant spacing with nitrogen fertilizers.

Transformation and Overexpression of Primary Cell Wall Synthesis-Related Zinc Finger Gene Gh_A07G1537 to Improve Fiber Length in Cotton.

Molecular interventions have helped to explore the genes involved in fiber length, fiber strength, and other quality parameters with improved characteristics, particularly in cotton. The current study is an extension and functional validation of previous findings that Gh_A07G1537 influences fiber length in cotton using a chromosomal segment substitution line MBI7747 through RNA-seq data. The recombinant Gh_A07G1537 derived from the MBI7747 line was over-expressed in CCRI24, a genotype with a low profile of fiber quality parameters. Putative transformants were selected on MS medium containing hygromycin (25mg/ml), acclimatized, and shifted to a greenhouse for further growth and proliferation. Transgene integration was validated through PCR and Southern Blot analysis. Stable integration of the transgene (ΔGh_A07G1537) was validated by tracking its expression in different generations (T0, T1, and T2) of transformed cotton plants. It was found to be 2.97-, 2.86-, and 2.92-folds higher expression in T0, T1, and T2 plants, respectively, of transgenic compared with non-transgenic cotton plants. Fiber quality parameters were also observed to be improved in the engineered cotton line. Genetic modifications of Gh_A07G1537 support the improvement in fiber quality parameters and should be appreciated for the textile industry.

Non-Wood Fibers: Relationships of Fiber Properties with Pulp Properties.

In this investigation, the relationship between fiber properties and papermaking properties of 22 non-wood materials at the unrefined and refined states was assessed. The fiber length had positive and the cell wall thickness had negative correlation on the strength properties for the refined pulp. The relationship between papermaking properties with pulp quality, such as fines, curl index, kink index, external fibrillation, and coarseness, was also determined. The correlations of multiple regression equations of fiber quality parameters were 70.4% for the tensile index and 84.9% for the tear index for the refined pulp. The correlations of multiple regression equations of chemical characteristics of the samples were 81.9% for the pulp yield and 42.7% for the kappa number. Holocellulose and α-cellulose had a positive and lignin had a negative effect on the pulp yield.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis Reveals Loci and Candidate Genes Involved in Fiber Quality Traits Under Multiple Field Environments in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).

Fiber length, fiber strength, and fiber micronaire are the main fiber quality parameters in cotton. Thus, mining the elite and stable loci/alleles related to fiber quality traits and elucidating the relationship between the two may accelerate genetic improvement of fiber quality in cotton. Here, genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) was performed for fiber quality parameters based on phenotypic data, and 56,010 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using 242 upland cotton accessions under 12 field environments were obtained. Phenotypic analysis exhibited that fiber length (FL) had a positive correlation with fiber strength (FS) and had a negative correlation with fiber micronaire (Mic). Genetic analysis also indicated that FL, FS, and Mic had high heritability of more than 80%. A total of 67 stable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified through GWAS analysis, including 31 for FL, 21 for FS, and 22 for Mic. Of them, three pairs homologous QTLs were detected between A and D subgenomes, and seven co-located QTLs with two fiber quality parameters were found. Compared with the reported QTLs, 34 co-located with previous studies, and 33 were newly revealed. Integrated with transcriptome analysis, we selected 256, 244, and 149 candidate genes for FL, FS, and Mic, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that most of the genes located in QTLs interval of the three fiber quality traits were involved in sugar biosynthesis, sugar metabolism, microtubule, and cytoskeleton organization, which played crucial roles in fiber development. Through correlation analysis between haplotypes and phenotypes, three genes (GH_A05G1494, GH_D11G3097, and GH_A05G1082) predominately expressed in fiber development stages were indicated to be potentially responsible for FL, FS, and Mic, respectively. The GH_A05G1494 encoded a protein containing SGS-domain, which is related to tubulin-binding and ubiquitin-protein ligase binding. The GH_D11G3097 encoded 20S proteasome beta subunit G1, and was involved in the ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process. The GH_A05G1082 encoded RAN binding protein 1 with a molecular function of GTPase activator activity. These results provide new insights and candidate loci/genes for the improvement of fiber quality in cotton.

Changes in secondary metabolites and fiber quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seed under consecutive water stress and in silico analysis of cellulose synthase and xyloglucan endotransglucosylase.

Global warming has led to severe drought conditions. The selection of plant varieties that can withstand drought and produce increased yields are of utmost importance. In the current study, secondary metabolites, seed trait and fiber characteristic of cottonseeds (Gossypium hirsutum) exposed to double and third water stress exposure was investigated. Total phenol and tannin content in W1S33 increased significantly after third water stress exposure. Accumulation of wax was enhanced in seeds of W3S33 and W3S34 that were subjected to third water stress. Fiber quality parameters decreased when cottonseeds were rainfed. High irrigation resulted in fragile and delicate fiber. Seeds grown under 66% FC irrigation saved water and produced seeds that had the potential of producing high quality fibers. In silico analysis was performed on cellulose synthase A (CesA) and xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET) enzymes present in Gossypium hirsutum. The intracellular locations of the CesA and XET1 enzymes are the plasma membrane and cell wall, respectively. Proline is conserved in the C-terminal of the CesA enzyme and plays an important role in enzyme functionality. This study provides a better understanding as to the mechanisms by which the plant can tolerate and combat water stress conditions as well as reduce water consumption. In order to grow cotton seeds with desirable morphometric characteristics and optimal fibers under water stress exposure and in dry areas, it is better to use seeds that are irrigated under optimal irrigation conditions, ie 66% FC.