Bridging molecular genetics and genomics for cotton fiber quality improvement

Authors: Naoumkina, Marina; Kim, Hee-Jin

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/29/2023
Publication Date: 4/29/2023
Citation: Naoumkina, M.A., Kim, H.J. 2023. Bridging molecular genetics and genomics for cotton fiber quality improvement. Crop Science. 63:1794-1815. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20987.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20987

Interpretive Summary: Upland cotton is the main source of natural fiber for the textile industry. The main priority for cotton growers is fiber yield, while the textile industry also demands better fiber quality characteristics, such as length, uniformity, strength, maturity, and optimal fineness. However, it is a major challenge for breeders to improve fiber quality while maintaining yield, because of the observed negative correlation of yield and fiber quality traits. Recent technical advances in sequencing and bioinformatics have facilitated assembly of reference quality genomes of multiple cotton species, bringing a new era for cotton genomics. Available genomic resources will help genetically dissect the agronomic and fiber quality traits of cotton and identify gene variants that can be used for cotton improvement through breeding or biotechnology. Here, we review recent progress in sequencing of genomes of cotton species and approaches in molecular genetics and genomics for improvement of cotton fiber quality traits.

Technical Abstract: Upland cotton is the main source of natural fiber for the textile industry. Cotton fibers are unicellular trichomes that emerge from the epidermal cells of the seed. In cultivated cotton species, seed trichomes differentiate into two distinct types, spinnable lint and short fuzz. The main priority for cotton growers is fiber yield, while the textile industry also demands better fiber quality characteristics, such as length, uniformity, strength, maturity, and optimal fineness. However, it is a major challenge for breeders to improve fiber quality while maintaining yield, because of the observed negative correlation of yield and fiber quality traits. Recent technical advances in sequencing and bioinformatics have facilitated assembly of reference quality genomes of multiple cotton species, bringing a new era for cotton genomics. Available genomic resources will help genetically dissect the agronomic and fiber quality traits of cotton and identify gene variants that can be used for cotton improvement through breeding or biotechnology. Here, we review recent progress in sequencing of genomes of cotton species and approaches in molecular genetics and genomics for improvement of cotton fiber quality traits.