ARS | Publication request: Drought-related gene expression in Upland cotton

Submitted to: Plant Biotechnology Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 10, 2010
Publication Date: June 6, 2010
Citation: Park, W., Scheffler, B.E., Bauer, P.J., Campbell, B.T. 2010. Drought-related gene expression in Upland cotton [abstract]. Proceedings of the nternational Association for Plant Biotechnology Congress, June 6-11, 2010, St. Louis, Missouri. CDROM.

Technical Abstract: Cotton is the world’s primary fiber crop and is a major agricultural commodity in over 30 countries across the world. Like many other world commodities, sustaining cotton production while also adapting to changes in climate is expected to increase agricultural water demands. In response to the anticipated increased demand on natural water supplies, a major research objective is to develop crops that use less water or that use water more efficiently. In this study, our objective was to study the expression of genes in response to water deficit stress in cotton. Two gene expression profiling experiments were conducted to compare expression profiles between root and leaf tissue of non-irrigated (water stressed) and irrigated field-grown samples using a cultivar Siokra that is known to be a relatively drought-resistant line. First, a global expression analysis using cDNA-AFLP profiling was conducted to identify a global set of differentially expressed TDFs (Transcript Derived Fragments). Second, the aquaporin gene family of cotton, previously identified in our laboratory, was assayed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR to identify differentially expressed aquaporin genes. These expression data will identify genes that are transcriptionally up- or down-regulated in response to water deficit stress. These data will also aid efforts to understand the complex genetic signatures related to cotton water use both at global and specific gene family levels. The genes identified in this study will provide potential targets to manipulate the water use characteristics of cotton at the molecular level.