Sustainable Cotton Production Research Articles

Optimizing nitrogen application improves its efficiency by higher allocation in bolls of cotton under drip fertigation

Nitrogen (N) loss is becoming one of the main limitations for sustainable agricultural production globally, particularly for crops such as cotton. To alleviate this issue, a promising strategy may be to exploit the N-saving potential of cotton plants by optimizing N application ratios at different growth stages under lower N rate and higher planting density with wide-row spacing. Two field experiments were carried out to investigate cotton yield, N use efficiency (NUE), N accumulation characteristics, and 15N uptake and distribution in response to N fertilization. First, a two-year experiment was conducted with N fertilization of either 0, 120, 240, 360 (control) or 480 kg ha−1. A three-year experiment was then carried out with 240 kg N ha−1 being applied with different ratios across three periods (squaring, flowering to peak boll, and late peak boll), i.e., 0:6:4 (N064), 1:6:3 (N163), 2:6:2 (N262, control), 3:6:1 (N361) and 4:6:0 (N460). Compared with conventional N fertilization (360 kg N ha−1), moderate fertilization at 240 kg N ha−1 resulted in steady and higher seed cotton yields of 5945 and 5603 kg ha−1 in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and improved NUE by 49.1–53.6%. Compared with conventional N262, a shift to later N application (N064) increased both lint yield and partial factor fiber productivity of nitrogen (PFFPN) by 4.4–7.7%, and accumulated 6.1–14.4% more total N (K) in reproductive organs due to higher average (Vt) and maximum (Vm) accumulation rates by 25.2–49.0% and 15.0–48.7%, respectively, while the fast N accumulation period (∆t) shortened by 15.2–24.4%. N064 partitioned 15.6% more 15N to reproductive organs. NUE was significantly positively correlated with K, t1 (the day when ∆t started), Vt, Vm, Tm (the day on which Vm occurred) and 15N accumulation in middle and upper canopy bolls, and negatively correlated with ∆t of total N accumulation in reproductive organs. Allocating N from the squaring period to the late peak boll period led to an increase in N uptake during the reproductive growth stage and greater allocation of N to cotton bolls under reduced-N cultivation and drip fertigation. This N management strategy is a potential way to improve NUE and achieve sustainable and efficient production of cotton in arid areas.

The resilient cotton plant: uncovering the effects of stresses on secondary metabolomics and its underlying molecular mechanisms

Cotton is an important fiber crop cultivated around the world under diverse climate conditions and generates billions of dollars in annual revenue globally. Biotic and abiotic stresses have caused reduction in yield and productivity of cotton crops. In this review, we comprehensively analyzed and summarized the effect of biotic and abiotic stress on secondary metabolite production in cotton. The development of cotton varieties with improved tolerance against abiotic and biotic stress can play an important role in sustainable cotton production. Under stress conditions, plants develop a variety of defense mechanisms such as initiating signaling functions to upregulate defense responsive genes and accumulation of secondary metabolites. Understanding the impact of stress on secondary metabolite production in cotton is crucial for developing strategies to alleviate the negative effects of stress on crop yield and quality. Further, the potential industrial applications of these secondary metabolites in cotton, such as gossypol, could provide new opportunities for sustainable cotton production and the development of value-added products. Additionally, transgenic and genome-edited cotton cultivars can be developed to provide tolerance to both abiotic and biotic stress in cotton production.

Transcriptome Analysis Revealed that GhPP2C43-A Negatively Regulates Salinity Tolerance in an Introgression Line from a Semi-Wild Upland Cotton.

Salt damage is a major threat to sustainable cotton production owing to the limited arable land in China, which is mainly occupied by the production of staple food crops. Salt-stress-tolerant cotton varieties are lacking in production, and the mechanisms underpinning salt stress tolerance in cotton remain enigmatic. Here, DM37, an intraspecific introgression line from Gossypium hirsutum race yucatanense acc TX-1046 into the G. hirsutum acc TM-1 background, was found to be highly tolerant to salt stress. Its seed germination rate and germination potential were significantly higher than those of the recipient TM-1 under salt stress. Physiological analysis showed that DM37 had a higher proline content and peroxidase activity and lower Na+/K+ ratios at the seedling stage, which is consistent with a higher seedling survival rate after durable salt stress. Furthermore, comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that responsive patterns to salt stress in DM37 were different from those in TM-1. Weighted correlation network analysis demonstrated that co-expression modules associated with salt stress in DM37 also differed from those in TM-1. From this analysis, GhPP2C43-A, a phosphatase gene, was found to exhibit negative regulation of salt stress tolerance verified by virus-induced gene silencing and the genration of transgenic Arabidopsis. Gene expression showed that GhPP2C43-A in TM-1 was induced by durable salt stress but not in DM37, probably attributable to a variation in the cis-element in its promoter, thereby conferring different salt stress tolerance. These results provide new genes/germplasms from semi-wild cotton in salt-stress-tolerant cotton breeding, as well as new insight into the mechanisms underpinning salt stress tolerance in cotton.

Effect of biochar addition and reduced irrigation regimes on growth, physiology and water use efficiency of cotton plants under salt stress

To alleviate the salinity and drought stresses faced in agricultural production, and to improve crop water use efficiency (WUE) in drought-prone regions, novel management strategies are needed. The combination of biochar amendment and reduced irrigation regimes could mitigate the negative effects of salinity and drought stresses and improve WUE of cotton plants. A split-root pot trial was performed in order to investigate the effects of two biochar amendments [wheat straw pellets biochar (WSP) and soft wood pellets biochar (SWP)] combined with three irrigation schemes [full irrigation (FI), deficit irrigation (DI), and partial root-zone drying irrigation (PRD)] on the growth, physiology and WUE of cotton plants under two salinity levels [0 mM NaCl (S0) and 200 mM NaCl (S1)]. The results showed that salt stress depressed plant growth and physiology, and reduced seed cotton yield and lint yield by 19.33–47.22% and 40.43–58.81%, respectively. However, the biochar amendment alleviated salt stress and increased plant dry biomass allocation ratio by 3.85%–12.54%, 5.07%–14.39% and 9.78%–46.62% in boll, seed cotton and lint cotton under S1, respectively, and also increased lint ginning out turn (GOT), harvest index (HI), WUE at plant and yield level (WUEp and WUEy) by 0.21%–28.69%, 5.07%–14.39%, −0.30%–15.71% and 5.83%–32.44%, respectively. Moreover, WSP was superior to SWP in terms of improving plant growth and yield. PRD showed better growth and physiological effects than DI, especially WUEp and WUEy were 6.88%–13.73% and 9.16%–22.78% greater under PRD than under DI. The combined application of biochar and PRD counteracted the decrease in WUE caused by biochar application alone under S0. Collectively, WSP combined with PRD could be a promising strategy in sustainable cotton production under drought and salinity stress.

Microbial Marvels in Cotton Farming: Unveiling the Potential of Plant Beneficial Microbes for Enhanced Growth and Disease Resistance in Pakistan

Cotton is a crucial cash crop in Pakistan, playing a pivotal role in the country's economy, agricultural sector, and employment opportunities. Its cultivation spans over 3 million hectares, primarily concentrated in the Punjab and Sindh provinces. Cotton production in Pakistan contributes significantly to the country's foreign exchange earnings, accounting for a substantial portion of its exports However, cotton pest and disease management is always a challenge as their impact change over time. The widespread use of agrochemicals and synthetic pesticides in major field crops poses significant threats to human and animal health, as well as environmental degradation. Use of beneficial microbes for sustainable cotton production can be a natural ally in the field, as they promote the plant growth as well as protect them from disease, insects and pests. They act as a reservoir of beneficial metabolites, enzymes, and nutrients, and they play a crucial role in biological pest control and disease resistance induction. Additionally, PGP rhizobacteria possess bioremediation potential, enabling them to phytoextract and detoxify pollutants and pesticides. Beneficial microorganisms like PGPR hold immense potential to replace and supplement these toxic chemicals, offering promising applications in organic farming and contributing to sustainable agricultural practices. Despite their potential, only a limited number of bio-formulations have been developed using PGPR strains with plant growth promotion, metabolite production, enzyme synthesis, nutrient mobilization, and biocontrol activities. An increasing body of evidence underscores the potential of diverse microorganisms to enhance plant productivity and yield within cropping systems. Unlocking the full benefits of these advantageous microbes requires a profound understanding of their role in promoting growth, specifically in the realms of fertilization and disease control, along with the elucidation of underlying mechanisms. It is imperative to confront challenges associated with the application of plant growth-promoting (PGP) microbes. This review focuses on the application of PGP microbes in the context of cotton production. Given the scarcity of information on beneficial microbes for cotton production, a comprehensive examination of current research becomes crucial, especially given the increasing interest in cotton inoculants, particularly in developing nations. The heightened attention towards PGP applications underscores the importance of advancing sustainable agricultural practices.

Fusarium wilt disease of chili: pathogen, its mechanism of infection, eradication, and impacts

Cotton is a crucial cash crop in Pakistan, playing a pivotal role in the country's economy, agricultural sector, and employment opportunities. Its cultivation spans over 3 million hectares, primarily concentrated in the Punjab and Sindh provinces. Cotton production in Pakistan contributes significantly to the country's foreign exchange earnings, accounting for a substantial portion of its exports However, cotton pest and disease management is always a challenge as their impact change over time. The widespread use of agrochemicals and synthetic pesticides in major field crops poses significant threats to human and animal health, as well as environmental degradation. Use of beneficial microbes for sustainable cotton production can be a natural ally in the field, as they promote the plant growth as well as protect them from disease, insects and pests. They act as a reservoir of beneficial metabolites, enzymes, and nutrients, and they play a crucial role in biological pest control and disease resistance induction. Additionally, PGP rhizobacteria possess bioremediation potential, enabling them to phytoextract and detoxify pollutants and pesticides. Beneficial microorganisms like PGPR hold immense potential to replace and supplement these toxic chemicals, offering promising applications in organic farming and contributing to sustainable agricultural practices. Despite their potential, only a limited number of bio-formulations have been developed using PGPR strains with plant growth promotion, metabolite production, enzyme synthesis, nutrient mobilization, and biocontrol activities. An increasing body of evidence underscores the potential of diverse microorganisms to enhance plant productivity and yield within cropping systems. Unlocking the full benefits of these advantageous microbes requires a profound understanding of their role in promoting growth, specifically in the realms of fertilization and disease control, along with the elucidation of underlying mechanisms. It is imperative to confront challenges associated with the application of plant growth-promoting (PGP) microbes. This review focuses on the application of PGP microbes in the context of cotton production. Given the scarcity of information on beneficial microbes for cotton production, a comprehensive examination of current research becomes crucial, especially given the increasing interest in cotton inoculants, particularly in developing nations. The heightened attention towards PGP applications underscores the importance of advancing sustainable agricultural practices.

Phosphorus and carbohydrate metabolism contributes to low phosphorus tolerance in cotton

Low phosphorus (P) is one of the limiting factors in sustainable cotton production. However, little is known about the performance of contrasting low P tolerant cotton genotypes that might be a possible option to grow in low P condition. In the current study, we characterized the response of two cotton genotypes, Jimian169 a strong low P tolerant, and DES926 a weak low P tolerant genotypes under low and normal P conditions. The results showed that low P greatly inhibited growth, dry matter production, photosynthesis, and enzymatic activities related to antioxidant system and carbohydrate metabolism and the inhibition was more in DES926 as compared to Jimian169. In contrast, low P improved root morphology, carbohydrate accumulation, and P metabolism, especially in Jimian169, whereas the opposite responses were observed for DES926. The strong low P tolerance in Jimian169 is linked with a better root system and enhanced P and carbohydrate metabolism, suggesting that Jimian169 is a model genotype for cotton breeding. Results thus indicate that the Jimian169, compared with DES926, tolerates low P by enhancing carbohydrate metabolism and by inducing the activity of several enzymes related to P metabolism. This apparently causes rapid P turnover and enables the Jimian169 to use P more efficiently. Moreover, the transcript level of the key genes could provide useful information to study the molecular mechanism of low P tolerance in cotton.

Economic Assessment of Sustainable Cotton Production in Maharashtra, India

Cotton, the king of fibers is often quoted as ‘White Gold’ because of its higher commercial values. It is a primary raw material in the textile industries. Cotton, cotton yarn, cotton fabrics and garments have substantial demand in the global market. Cotton is the most important fibre crop of India playing a dominant role in its agrarian and industrial economy. In the present study efforts have been made to study the cost, returns, profitability of organic and conventional cotton. The primary data required for the study were collected during year 2021-22 from 320 cotton growers of Maharashtra. Simple statistical tools like averages and percentages were used in analysing the collected data and standard cost concepts was used for analysis. The result of the study examined that, the total cost of production (cost ‘C’) of cotton was worked out to Rs. 87633 and Rs. 72683 in conventional irrigated and conventional rainfed cotton cultivation, respectively, the per hectare conventional rainfed cotton production was worked out to be 13.18 qtls. The per hectare conventional irrigated cotton production was worked out to be 20.95 qtls. The benefit-cost ratio was estimated to 2.09 and 1.77 for irrigated and rainfed respectively, This indicated that, organic irrigated cotton production was more profitable than organic rainfed cotton. Organic cotton farming promises to be a more sustainable form of agriculture that is aimed at producing food in a more environmentally friendly, economically viable and socially just way. Organic methods also have wider social and environmental benefits that come from the use of sustainable methods.

Threats and Challenges for Sustainable Cotton Production in Sindh, Pakistan: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation to Combat Climate Change

Current cotton production systems are most vulnerable to climate extremes in the world but particularly in Sindh, Pakistan. There is a drier need to assess the climate vulnerability and develop climate-resilient production technologies and adaptation plan to combat the climate extremes. A study was conducted in three districts of Sindh province (Ghotki, Sukkur, and Khairpur). Both primary and secondary data of cotton growers (small, medium and large land holding) and different relevant departments of cotton was collected. Three data collection tools were used in this study. Primary data was collected directly from farmers by conducting Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) by engaging local cotton growers. Key informant interviews (KIIs) guide was used for the consultation with officials in government and other cotton related departments. Survey of cotton growers/farmers were conducted in these three districts by selecting farmers randomly. HCPL has conducted 13 FGDs with the beneficiary’s farmers (men and women). Out of the total, seven FGDs were conducted with male farmers and six FGDs were held with female farmers in three studied districts. In each FGDs 10 to 12 farmers participated actively in the discussion and data collection. In total 130 farmers consulted through FGDs in the studied region. Results showed that, the current cotton production system is vulnerable to climate change and climate resilient site-specific production technologies are required by adopting good management practices. Due to competing crops and unavailability of resources, cotton crop area has been shifted to other crops like sugarcane, so climate adaptation plan is required to reduce the cost of production. Increasing area under sugarcane crop also has negative effect on cotton crop due to high humid climatic conditions and leads to more insect pest infestation. Currently, cotton is being sown after wheat during the month of May, while sub optimum and substandard input like seed, fertilizer, and management practices being used. Farmers are also lacking in climate knowledge, and while there is no weather agro-advisory system available for farmers related to climate extremes conditions (drought, heat, and floods). Financial incentive system is also required for cotton crop just like other crops in the region. Good quality seed and input at lower rates are unavailable in this region. There is knowledge gap existed and farmer’s field school are required to develop the capacity building of the farmers to adopt climate resilient production technology. Cotton crop is sensitive to weather while climate forecast is also missing at gross root level, there is need to strength the system to deliver the information to the cotton growers to manage the cotton accordingly. There also need to strength the coordination and productive linkages with research institutes and academia that are working for the production enhancement of cotton crop. Climate resilient production technology transfer is also required to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. There is need to strengthen the marketing system of cotton for effective functioning of the key cotton value chain actors.

Sustainable Cotton Production through Skill Development among Farmers: Evidence from Khairpur District of Sindh, Pakistan

Pakistan is the world’s fourth largest producer and one of the major cottonexporting countries. Cotton is grown largely in Punjab and Sindh provinces and accounts for about 10.5 percent of the value-added in the agriculture sector. The majority of cotton growers are smallholders and a large number of them are tenant farm households. Frequent pest outbreaks since the early 1990s have induced pesticide-based farming in Pakistan. Also, the liberalisation of generic pesticide import has resulted in a many-fold increase in pesticide use in the country. However, this has neither increased cotton productivity nor the prosperity of the poor cotton growers [Poswal and Williamson (1998) and Ahmad and Poswal (2000)]. In Pakistan, research and development in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was initiated in the 1970s. However, the efforts to implement IPM at the farm level were not very successful. Pesticides became a major instrument of production leading to a ‘pesticide treadmill’ situation [Irshad (2000)]. An analysis of pesticide policies through the UNDP-FAO Policy Reform Project paved the way for the establishment of a National IPM Programme and provided instruments to scale up farmer-led IPM through joint international and national efforts on various fronts. Pesticide policy studies estimated environmental and social cost of pesticides in Pakistan at US$ 206 million per year [UNDP (2001) and Azeem, et al. (2003)]. About 49 percent of these external costs were attributed to pest resistance problems, while 29 percent to loss in bio-diversity and nearly 20 percent occurred to human and animal health. On the other hand, damage prevention expenditures for residue monitoring and raising public awareness on the dangers of pesticides is less than 2 percent of the total social costs of pesticides.

Impacts of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application and Mulching on the Morpho-Physiological and Yield-Related Traits in Cotton

Cotton is a global cash crop with a significant contribution in the world economy. Optimum nutrient and water supply are most important for sustainable cotton production under warmer and dry environments. Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the cumulative impacts of various nitrogen doses and mulches on sustainable cotton production under semi-arid conditions during 2018 and 2019. Four nitrogen doses; 0, 70, 140, and 210 kg ha−1 and three types of mulch: control (without mulch), natural mulch (5 tons/ha wheat straw), and chemical mulch (methanol (30%). Nitrogen 210 kg ha−1 with natural mulching increased 40.5% gunning out turn, 30.0% fiber length, 31.7% fiber strength, 32.6% fiber fineness, 20.8% fiber uniformity, and 34.0% fiber elongation. Shoot nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and magnesium contents were maximum where 210 kg ha−1 nitrogen and mulch was applied. Natural mulch reduced the soil temperature as compared to chemical and no mulch conditions. The soil temperature was 0.5 to 1.8 ℃ lower in mulching treatments as compared to the control. Maximum economic yield was around 90% higher in natural mulch with the 210 kg ha−1 nitrogen application. It is concluded that optimum nitrogen application with natural mulch not only enhanced plant growth and development but also induced sustainability in quality cotton production under semi-arid conditions.

Quantitative evaluation of variation and driving factors of the regional water footprint for cotton production in China

Water resources are the foundation that supports life and have become a key constraint on agricultural development in the 21st century. The water footprint (WF) provides a new and comprehensive approach for water utilization in agriculture, but WF of cotton in China has not been extensively studied. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal variation characteristics, driving factors of WF and evaluated the water resource utilization benefits and water stress caused by cotton production in China from 2004 to 2018. WF of cotton in China showed a decreasing trend, while the increase in unit yield was the main reason for the decrease in WF. The total water footprint (TWF) in the Huanghe Valley, Yangtze Valley and Northwest Inland cotton regions was 11G (46.6 % TWFgreen (total green water footprint), 42.0 % TWFblue (total blue water footprint), and 11.3 % TWFgrey (total grey water footprint)), 15G (37.0 % TWFgreen, 19.0 % TWFblue and 43.9 % TWFgrey), and 18G (9.9 % TWFgreen, 80.5 % TWFblue, and 9.6 % TWFgrey; 1G = 109 m3), respectively. Exploratory spatial clustering identified the Yangtze Valley cotton regions as a High-High clustered zone for WF, which indicated a high WF and low output. The pressure on water resources gradually decreased in the Huanghe Valley cotton region, and it was in a low WF and low output situation. In the low WF of high output of the Northwest Inland cotton regions, its Low-Low cluster had a tendency to shrink, and the water pressure showed an increasing trend. The results of this study provide new insights into reducing the consumption of water resources and promoting the sustainable production of cotton.

Evaluating Agricultural Extension Agent’s Sustainable Cotton Land Production Competencies: Subject Matter Discrepancies Restricting Farmers’ Information Adoption

Cotton is more chemically intensive than many other commodities, which negatively impacts rural livelihoods at higher rates. Improvement in environmental stewardship of cotton would substantially impact the long-term sustainability of agriculture in cotton producing regions globally. Extension personnel provide producer education to improve these issues that ultimately impact economic growth and quality of life in rural areas, but their proficiency to foster innovation and diffusion of crop-specific content is unknown. A 48-item survey was administered to agricultural extension personnel in five U.S. states to develop an understanding of extension professionals’ current knowledge in sustainable cotton production and sustainability, identify pertinent training needs to address in future professional development curricula, and to discern the value of crop-specific competency evaluation in organizational needs assessment. A ranked discrepancy model and an exploratory factor analysis of survey results indicated a glaring need for training in all evaluated competency areas to improve sustainability in cotton producing regions. Synchronous or asynchronous trainings could be developed for change agents to better serve the needs of rural cotton producers. Knowledge transfer or adoption diffusion of rural land sustainability recommendations to farmers will be challenging to achieve in the study’s region until change agent’s proficiency of sustainable cotton production practices improves.

Impact of heat stress on agro-morphological, physio-chemical and fiber related paramters in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes

The unpredictably changing climatic conditions, especially high temperatures, are putting a continuous threat to sustainable cotton production. The current study was designed to investigate the impact of heat stress on several morpho-physiological, biochemical, and fibre quality-related traits. The results revealed the presence of significant variations in agro-morphological, physio-chemical and staple length-related parameters for upland cotton genotypes and stress treatments. Further analysis of pooled data unveiled that heat stress had a detrimental impact on all studied plant traits. Severe reduction in plant height, nodes per plant, sympodial branches per plant, number of bolls per plant, ginning out-turn, and staple length were recorded under heat stress. A significant reduction in net photosynthetic rate (Pn) up to 28.6 % was observed in cotton genotype BH-200 (24.7 to 19.2 µmole m−2 s−1). The accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was increased from 7.1 % in BH-306 to 28.7 % in BH-200 under heat stress due to the incidence of oxidative stress. A substantial increase in the accumulation of antioxidants i.e., catalase (65 %–74 %), peroxidase (54 %–169 %), and superoxide dismutase (52 %–98 %) was seen under high-temperature stress conditions. The correlation coefficient analysis unveiled a significantly positive correlation of seed cotton yield with nodes per plant (r = 0.432*), net photosynthetic rate (r = 0.829**), peroxidase (r = 0.974**), and superoxide dismutase (r = 0.868**), under heat stress conditions. However, a negative but statistically significant correlation of seed cotton yield with ginning out turn (r = −0.466*), staple length (r = −0.898**), hydrogen peroxide (r = −0.955**) and catalase (r = −0.904**) was also observed. The overall results unveiled that cotton genotype BH-232 has a comparatively higher heat tolerance than other contesting genotypes while BH-306 showed the highest susceptibility to heat stress. Hence, BH-232 could be recommended after its approval for general cultivation in heat-prone areas of Pakistan.

Weather index insurance for transition to sustainable cotton production under climate change in Xinjiang, China

Assessing climate-induced reductions in cotton yields is critical to developing weather insurance for sustainable agricultural development. Climatic factors such as frost, hail, and drought severely constrain the sustainable development of cotton production in Xinjiang. In this study, based on cotton production and meteorological data from 1988 to 2019 in Aksu, Xinjiang, the H-P filtering method, correlation test, and regression analysis were used to develop a weather index model of cotton yield reduction rate and key meteorological factors. The results showed that the trend yield separated by the H-P filtering method was more stable. The correlation analysis between cotton fertility and meteorological factors concluded that there was a strong positive correlation between precipitation and cotton yield, i.e., the more rainfall, the more unfavorable environment for cotton growth and development. The results of the empirical analysis to determine the net premium rate under different disaster registrations based on the logistic probability distribution model showed that the highest probability of meteorological disasters in the Aksu region was 22.36%, the premium rate was 1.79%, and the net premium was 34.01 RMB per mu. It is found that climate change is closely related to the environment, and human production activities are compatible with the carrying capacity of the environment, otherwise, climate change leads to frequent meteorological disasters, which is not conducive to the sustainable development of agricultural production. It is expected that these research results can provide a relevant basis for the implementation of cotton policy weather insurance in Aksu and other regions and promote the sustainable development of cotton production.

Defense Mechanisms of Cotton Fusarium and Verticillium Wilt and Comparison of Pathogenic Response in Cotton and Humans.

Cotton is an important economic crop. Fusarium and Verticillium are the primary pathogenic fungi that threaten both the quality and sustainable production of cotton. As an opportunistic pathogen, Fusarium causes various human diseases, including fungal keratitis, which is the most common. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study and clarify the resistance mechanisms of cotton and humans toward Fusarium in order to mitigate, or eliminate, its harm. Herein, we first discuss the resistance and susceptibility mechanisms of cotton to Fusarium and Verticillium wilt and classify associated genes based on their functions. We then outline the characteristics and pathogenicity of Fusarium and describe the multiple roles of human neutrophils in limiting hyphal growth. Finally, we comprehensively compare the similarities and differences between animal and plant resistance to Fusarium and put forward new insights into novel strategies for cotton disease resistance breeding and treatment of Fusarium infection in humans.

Sustainable Cotton Production through Increased Competitiveness: Analysis of Comparative Advantage and Influencing Factors of Cotton Production in Xinjiang, China

Cotton production makes an important contribution to the income of rural residents and the economy in Xinjiang province, which leads other provinces in terms of planted area, total production, and average yield of cotton in China. This study analyzed the competitiveness of cotton production in the study area using the efficiency advantage index (EAI), scale advantage index (SAI), and aggregated advantage index (AAI). Moreover, the factors influencing the productivity of cotton have been investigated by the use of ridge regression and correlation matrix using a dataset for the period 2005 to 2018. The results showed that cotton production had a large comparative advantage in Xinjiang from 2005 to 2018. The average of efficiency advantage index (EAI), scale advantage index (SAI), and aggregated advantage index (AAI) are 1.50, 12.96, and 4.35, respectively. Overall, Xinjiang cotton production has a higher planting scale advantage and productivity. By using ridge regression to calculate the impact of cotton production on agricultural output value in Xinjiang, the results showed that total cotton production, fiscal expenditure on agricultural support, total agricultural machinery power, and fertilizer use had significant positive effects, whereas cotton sown area, average cotton yield, and the proportion of affected area by insects and diseases had negative impact agricultural output value. The study implies the need for a implementing a well-thought and empirically backed plan to support cotton production based on comparative advantage for a specific area, building a cotton production standard system, reducing the cost of cotton production, and building a cotton risk-protection system to protect the interests of cotton farmers and promote the sustainable development of the cotton industry.

Genome wide identification and characterization of MAPK genes reveals their potential in enhancing drought and salt stress tolerance in Gossypium hirsutum

BackgroundThe cotton crop is universally considered as protein and edible oil source besides the major contributor of natural fiber and is grown in tropical and subtropical regions around the world Unpredicted environmental stresses are becoming significant threats to sustainable cotton production, ultimately leading to a substantial irreversible economic loss. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is generally considered essential for recognizing environmental stresses through phosphorylating downstream signal pathways and plays a vital role in numerous biological processes.ResultsWe have identified 74 MAPK genes across cotton, 41 from G. hirsutum, 19 from G. raimondii, whereas 14 have been identified from G. arboreum. The MAPK gene-proteins have been further studied to determine their physicochemical characteristics and other essential features. In this perspective, characterization, phylogenetic relationship, chromosomal mapping, gene motif, cis-regulatory element, and subcellular localization were carried out. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the MAPK family in cotton is usually categorized as A, B, C, D, and E clade. According to the results of the phylogenic relationship, cotton has more MAPKS genes in Clade A than Clade B. The cis-elements identified were classified into five groups (hormone responsiveness, light responsiveness, stress responsiveness, cellular development, and binding site). The prevalence of such elements across the promoter region of these genes signifies their role in the growth and development of plants. Seven GHMAPK genes (GH_A07G1527, GH_D02G1138, GH_D03G0121, GH_D03G1517, GH_D05G1003, GH_D11G0040, and GH_D12G2528) were selected, and specific tissue expression and profiling were performed across drought and salt stresses. Results expressed that six genes were upregulated under drought treatment except for GH_D11G0040 which is downregulated. Whereas all the seven genes have been upregulated at various hours of salt stress treatment.ConclusionsRNA sequence and qPCR results showed that genes as differentially expressed across both vegetative and reproductive plant parts. Similarly, the qPCR analysis showed that six genes had been upregulated substantially through drought treatment while all the seven genes were upregulated across salt treatments. The results of this study showed that cotton GHMPK3 genes play an important role in improving cotton resistance to drought and salt stresses. MAPKs are thought to play a significant regulatory function in plants' responses to abiotic stresses according to various studies. MAPKs' involvement in abiotic stress signaling and innovation is a key goal for crop species research, especially in crop breeding.

Organic amendments and conservation tillage improve cotton productivity and soil health indices under arid climate

Long-term different tillage system field trials can provide vital knowledge about sustainable changes in soil health indices and crop productivity. This study examined cotton productivity and soil health indices under different tillage systems and organic materials. The present study was carried out at MNS University of Agriculture, Multan to explore the effect of different tillage systems: conventional tillage (T1), conservation tillage (T2), and organic materials: control (recommended dose of synthetic fertilizers; 160:90:60 kg ha−1NPK), poultry manure (10 t ha−1 PM), compost (10 t ha−1 CM), farmyard manure (20 t ha−1 FYM), and biochar (7 t ha−1 BC) on cotton productivity and soil health indices. Two years field trials showed that different tillage systems and organic materials significantly improved the growth, morphological, and yield attributes of cotton and soil health indices. The cotton showed highest seed cotton yield (3692–3736 kg ha−1), and soil organic matter (0.809–0.815%), soil available nitrogen (74.3–74.6 mg kg−1), phosphorus (7.29–7.43 mg kg−1), and potassium (213–216 mg kg−1) under T2 in comparison to T1 system during both years of field experiment, respectively. Similarly, PM (10 t ha−1) showed highest seed cotton yield (3888–3933 kg ha−1), and soil organic matter (0.794–0.797%), nitrogen (74.7–75.0 mg kg−1), phosphorus (7.39–7.55 mg kg−1), and potassium (221–223 mg kg−1) when these are compared to FYM (20 t ha−1), CM (10 t ha−1), and BC (7 t ha−1) during both years of field experiment, respectively. These findings indicate that conservation tillage system with application of 10 t ha−1 PM are the best practices for the sustainable cotton production and to ensure improvement in the soil health indices under arid climatic conditions.

Water and heat resource utilization of cotton under different cropping patterns and their effects on crop biomass and yield formation

• A new method for visualizing the spatiotemporal change in soil water consumption. • The complexity of crop responses to multiple environmental factors is highlighted. • The main factor driving cotton biomass formation is water consumption. • Cotton yield exhibits a significant positive correlation with PE GDD and PE soil . • MC and WIC had high cotton yield and accumulated temperature production efficiency. In the context of intensified climate change, approximately 70% of global cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) production is in arid or high temperature environments. Improving cultivation practices is an effective measure to promote the adaptation of cotton production to the climate. To comprehensively study the characteristics of the hydrothermal microclimate in cotton fields and their relationship with cotton biomass and yield formation, a grid sampling method based on sensors with high spatiotemporal resolution was used in this study to monitor the soil temperature and soil moisture under three cropping patterns (monoculture cotton (MC), wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)/delayed intercropped cotton (WIC), and wheat/direct-seeded cotton (WDC)). The cropping patterns substantially changed the cotton hydrothermal resource utilization. WDC was the pattern with low cotton yield and low hydrothermal resource use efficiency, while MC and WIC were the patterns with high cotton yield and high accumulated temperature production efficiency. Cotton yield exhibited a very significant positive correlation with the accumulated temperature production efficiency of air and soil, and these relationships were less affected by different planting patterns. The climate in 2016 was relatively humid, and the water consumption (WC) of MC was mainly concentrated within a soil depth of 70 cm, WIC was 50 cm, and WDC was 30 cm. The climate in 2017 was relatively dry, and the main soil depth ranges of WC in MC, WIC, and WDC were 50, 30, and 20 cm, respectively. WC was the most important factor affecting cotton biomass, especially reproductive organ biomass, followed by the effective accumulated air temperature. The WC of cotton was most affected by changes in soil moisture at a depth of 30 cm. This study strengthens the application of smart agricultural technology in sustainable cotton production and highlights the complexity of crop responses to cultivation practices and multiple environmental factors.