ARS | Publication request: VARIATION AND GENETIC CONTROL OF VOLATILE TERPENES IN UPLAND COTTON (GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L.)

Submitted to: Phytochemical Society of North America Meeting and Newsletter
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 11, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Volatile terpenes of Gossypium species are localized in the lysigenous pigment glands that distinguish the tribe Gossypieae. Concentrations of the terpenes are greatest in very young leaves and bolls (ovaries). Texas race stocks of G. hirsutum L. that show resistance to insects or are used in folk medicine were surveyed for volatile terpenes. Only beta-ocimene occurred in all race stocks. The survey and genetic studies indicated that separate single genes (and probably terpene cyclases) control the synthesis of 1) myrcene; 2) alpha- and beta-pinene and limonene; 3) alpha- and gamma-terpinene and 2 unknowns; 4) caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, and humulene; 5) gamma-bisabolene and beta-bisabolol; 6) alpha- and beta-selinene, 7) aromadendrene and spathulenol and 8) 2 unknown sesquiterpenes. Manipulation of these genes may be useful to control pests and diseases of cotton.