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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #292981
Title: A survey of abiotic stress tolerance variability in cotton germplasm

Author
item CASTILLO, NATALIA - Texas Agrilife
item Payton, Paxton
item DEVER, JANE - Texas Agrilife

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2012
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The High Plains of Texas grows about 20% of the cotton fiber produced in the United States. The Ogallala Aquifer is the major water source of irrigation for agricultural production but is declining and future water availability will be significantly reduced. Water-deficit stress has a significant impact on cotton production and can dramatically affect fiber quality if stress occurs during fiber development. Attempts to improve tolerance to water-deficit stress have been hampered by our limited understanding of physiological response to stress and the underlying molecular pathways controlling those responses. Additionally, a narrow genetic base limits our ability to incorporate novel genes into elite varieties. To address these issues, we have initiated a phenotypic study associated with differences to drought responses in 6 wild cotton accessions and 4 cotton cultivar lines. Our primary goal is to develop breeding populations segregating for abiotic stress tolerance and fiber quality traits beneficial to limited input (low water, high temperature) production regions like the Texas High Plains. Data were recorded on several qualitative and quantitative parameters of plant, leaf, flower, boll, and plant growth habit. Additionally, physiological response to water deficit was measured during peak vegetative and reproductive growth stages under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Preliminary data analysis revealed physiological responses could be associated with differences to drought response across the genotypes and associated with yield response.