Comparative transcriptome analysis uncovers cell wall reorganization and repressed cell division during cotton fiber initiation

Background Tetraploid cotton plants serve as prime natural fiber source for the textile industry. Although various omics studies have revealed molecular basis for fiber development, a better understanding of transcriptional regulation mechanism regulating lint fiber initiation is necessary to meet global natural fiber demand. Results Here, we aimed to perform transcriptome sequencing to identify DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in ovules of the cotton variety Xu142 and its fibreless mutant Xu142fl during early lint fiber initiation period. Totally, 5516 DEGs including 1840 upregulated and 3676 downregulated were identified. GO enrichment analysis revealed that the downregulated DEGs were mainly associated with biological processes such as transcription related biosynthesis and metabolism, organic cyclic compound biosynthesis and metabolism, photosynthesis, and plant cell wall organization, with molecular functions involving transcription related binding, organic cyclic compound binding, and dioxygenase activity, while the upregulated DEGs were associated with DNA replication and phospholipid biosynthetic related processes. Among the 490 DEGs annotated as transcription factor genes, 86.5% were downregulated in the mutant including the Malvaceae-specific MMLs, expression patterns of which were confirmed during the central period of lint fiber initiation. Investigation of the 16 genes enriched in the cell wall organization revealed that 15 were EXPA coding genes. Conclusions Overall, our data indicate that lint fiber initiation is a complicated process involving cooperation of multiple transcription factor families, which might ultimately lead to the reorganization of the cell wall and terminated cell division of the differentiating fiber initials.

Comparative transcriptome analysis uncovers cell wall reorganization and repressed cell division during cotton fiber initiation

Background Tetraploid cotton plants serve as prime natural fiber source for the textile industry. Although various omics studies have revealed molecular basis for fiber development, a better understanding of transcriptional regulation mechanism regulating lint fiber initiation is necessary to meet global natural fiber demand. Conclusions Here, we aimed to perform transcriptome sequencing to identify DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in ovules of the cotton variety Xu142 and its fibreless mutant Xu142fl during early lint fiber initiation period. Totally, 5516 DEGs including 1840 upregulated and 3676 downregulated were identified. GO enrichment analysis revealed that the downregulated DEGs mainly associated with biological processes such as transcription related biosynthesis and metabolism, organic cyclic compound biosynthesis and metabolism, photosynthesis, and plant cell wall organization, with molecular functions involving transcription related binding, organic cyclic compound binding, and dioxygenase activity, while the upregulated DEGs were associated with DNA replication and phospholipid biosynthetic related processes. Among the 490 DEGs annotated as transcription factor genes 86.5% were downregulated in the mutant including the Malvaceae-specific MMLs, expression patterns of which were confirmed during the central period of lint fiber initiation. Investigation of the 20 genes enriched in the cell wall organization revealed that 17 were EXPA coding genes. Overall, we suggest that lint fiber initiation is a complicated process involving cooperation of multiple transcription factor families, which might ultimately lead to the reorganization of the cell wall and terminated cell division of the differentiating fiber initials.

Interactions of Carbaryl and Dimethoate with Sethoxydim

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of tank-mix and sequential postemergence (POE) applications of the insecticides carbaryl and dimethoate with sethoxydim on large crabgrass control and cotton tolerance. Large crabgrass control was similar with sethoxydim and sethoxydim-dimethoate tank mixtures. Although tank mixing carbaryl with sethoxydim reduced control, it was not reduced when carbaryl was applied 2 days before or 2 days after applying sethoxydim. Neither the insecticides nor sethoxydim applied alone or as tank mixtures injured cotton or affected lint yield, percent lint, fiber length, fiber length uniformity, fiber strength, or micronaire.

Weed Competition in Cotton. I. Sicklepod and Tall Morningglory

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) was grown at two locations in Alabama during 1966 to 1969 with specific densities of sicklepod (Cassia obtusifoliaL.) and tall morningglory (Ipomoea purpureaL. Roth). Competition from sicklepod and tall morningglory caused cotton yield reductions at densities as low as eight weeds per 7.31 m of row. Tall morningglory was usually more competitive than sicklepod in cotton. Both species were more competitive on Lucedale sandy clay loam than on Norfolk sandy loam. Sicklepod at eight weeds per 7.31 m of row reduced yields from 10 to 23% on the Norfolk soil and approximately 40% on the Lucedale soil. At the highest density, 48 sicklepod plants per 7.31 m of row, yields were reduced 45 to 65% on the Norfolk soil and approximately 80% on the Lucedale soil. Tall morningglory at a density of eight weeds per 7.31 m of row reduced cotton yields 10 to 40% on the Norfolk soil and 50 to 75% on the Lucedale soil. Vegetative growth, boll, and seed size were not affected as much as cotton yields by competition. Percentage lint and lint fiber properties were unaffected by competition.