Temperature Regime and Carbon Dioxide Enrichment Alter Cotton Boll Development and Fiber Properties

Abstract

Temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] affect cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth and development, but the interaction of these two factors on boll and fiber properties has not been studied. An experiment was conducted in naturally lit plant growth chambers to determine the influence of temperature and atmospheric [CO2] on cotton (cv. DPL‐51) boll and fiber growth parameters. Five temperature regimes were evaluated: the 1995 temperature at Mississippi State, MS; the 1995 temperature minus 2°C; and the 1995 temperature plus 2, 5, and 7°C. Daily and seasonal variation and amplitudes were maintained. Atmospheric [CO2] treatments were 360 (ambient) and 720 μL L−1. Boll number, boll growth, and fiber properties were measured. Boll size and maturation periods decreased as temperature increased. Boll growth increased with temperature to 25°C and then declined at the highest temperature. Boll maturation period, size, and growth rates were not affected by atmospheric [CO2]. The most temperature‐sensitive aspect of cotton development is boll retention. Almost no bolls were retained to maturity at 1995 plus 5 or 7°C, but squares and bolls were continuously produced even at those high temperatures. Therefore, the upper limit for cotton boll survival is 32°C, or 5°C warmer than the 1995 U.S. Mid‐South ambient temperatures. The 720 μL L−1 atmospheric [CO2] had about 40% more squares and bolls across temperatures than the 360 μL L−1 [CO2]. Fibers were longer when bolls grew at less than optimal temperatures (25°C) for boll growth. As temperature increased, fiber length distributions were more uniform. Fiber fineness and maturity increased linearly with the increase in temperature up to 26°C, but decreased at 32°C. Short‐fiber content declined linearly from 17 to 26°C, but was higher at higher temperature. As for boll growth and developmental parameters, elevated atmospheric [CO2] did not affect any of the fiber parameters. Changes in temperature, however, had a dramatic effect on boll set and fiber properties. The relationships between temperature and boll growth and developmental rate functions and fiber properties provide the necessary functional parameters to build fiber models under optimum water and nutrient conditions.

Screening for High‐Temperature Tolerant Cotton Cultivars by Testing In Vitro Pollen Germination, Pollen Tube Growth and Boll Retention

“…A high correlation between in vitro pollen germination and fruit setting under high temperature conditions has been shown for peanuts (Prasad et al 1999) and bell pepper (Aloni et al 2001). The number of bolls retained on the cotton plant was very strongly controlled by temperature regimens (Reddy et al 1999). The optimum temperature for boll retention is 28 °C and the young bolls are shed when the average daily temperature exceeds the optimum, with a longer the exposure to above-optimum temperatures resulting in a higher frequency of boll abscission (Reddy et al 1992(Reddy et al , 1999.…”

“…The number of bolls retained on the cotton plant was very strongly controlled by temperature regimens (Reddy et al 1999). The optimum temperature for boll retention is 28 °C and the young bolls are shed when the average daily temperature exceeds the optimum, with a longer the exposure to above-optimum temperatures resulting in a higher frequency of boll abscission (Reddy et al 1992(Reddy et al , 1999. In the cottongrowing areas of China, especially the Yangtze River valley, several episodes of high temperatures greater than 35 °C usually occur in July and August, a period when cotton flowering and boll loading are in their developmental phases, resulting in the abscission of bolls and a reduction of lint yield (Zhou et al 1996;Miao et al 1998).…”

Yield and Phenological Responses of Bt Cotton to Different Sowing Dates in Semi-Arid Climate

“…Moreover, in late sown crop, boll formation and opening took place during the hot months of July and August; so high temperature in these months accelerated boll shedding. Actually temperature beyond 30/20°C (day/night temperature regime) may result in decrease in boll retention due to enhanced abortion of squares and young bolls (Reddy et al, 1999). Therefore, mid-season plantation may yield more (Pettigrew, 2002).…”

Relationship between Flower Opening in Six Cotton Cultivars and Their Progeny to Pollen Dehydration Tolerance

“…Cotton reproduction is strongly influenced by seasonal environmental conditions that determine yield potential and fiber quality [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Cotton flowers expand their petals the day before anthesis forming a shape commonly referred to as a "candle.…”