Impact of water deficiency on cotton ginning efficiency, fiber quality, and seed composition

Authors: Bai, Fang; Donohoe, Sean; ABDELRAHEEM, ABDELRAHEEM - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); Bellaloui, Nacer; Mubvumba, Partson; Zeng, Linghe

Submitted to: Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/14/2026
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This study provides critical insights into how water deficiency impacts cotton productivity by evaluating ten genotypes under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. Water deficiency significantly reduced plant height, boll number, and fiber quality in most genotypes; but one variety, CIM432, consistently maintained agronomic performance and fiber stability. Notably, CIM432 preserved high boll counts and stable ginning efficiency. Three of the cultivars, (CIM432, MD15 and 84524) maintained their fiber length, strength, and uniformity under water deficiency. Importantly, the research uncovered a trade-off between fiber yield and seed oil content, while seed protein remained stable. This work is vital as it identifies water deficit-tolerant varieties with stable yield and good fiber quality traits, which can provide a strong foundation for breeding programs aimed at enhancing cotton tolerant to water deficiency. These findings underscore the importance of integrated multi-trait assessments when developing stress-tolerance cotton varieties.

Technical Abstract: Water deficiency is a prevalent abiotic stress that significantly constrains cotton productivity worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the impact of water deficiency on ginning efficiency, fiber quality, and seed composition in cotton (Gossypium spp.). Ten cotton genotypes were assessed under irrigated and non-irrigated field conditions. Water deficiency markedly reduced plant height and the number of bolls, with genotypes MD 52ne, MD 25-26ne, and 1517-99 displaying high sensitivity, whereas CIM 432 exhibited notable water deficiency tolerance. Ginning efficiency analysis showed a general reduction in energy requirements under water deficiency, particularly in MD10-5, MD 15, and MD 52ne. However, CIM 432 maintained high boll numbers, and stable ginning rate and ginning energy under stress. Fiber quality traits such as length, strength, and uniformity were adversely affected by water deficiency across most genotypes, although CIM 432, MD 15 and 84524 showed greater stability. Correlation analyses under water deficiency revealed strong positive associations among fiber length, strength, and uniformity; along with a significant negative correlation between lint percentage and oil content, suggesting a trade-off between lint yield and seed oil accumulation. Cottonseed composition analysis indicated that when oil content declined under water deficiency, protein and seed fiber levels remained relatively unaffected. Significant genotypic variation was observed for most traits, with minimal genotype-by-treatment interactions, indicating consistent genotype performance across both treatments. Overall, CIM 432 emerged as a robust candidate for breeding water deficiency-tolerant cotton, combining agronomic resilience with stable fiber quality. These findings underscore the complexity of genotype-water deficiency stress interactions and highlight the importance of integrated phenotypic assessment for developing water deficiency-tolerant cotton varieties.