Effects of Exogenous 24-epibrassinolide on Photosynthetic Physiology of CottonSeedlings under Low Temperature

Objective] The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) on the photosynthetic physiology of cotton seedlings under low temperature and to provide basis for improving the cold tolerance of cotton by using EBR as growth regulator. Method] Taking CCRI 60, Lumianyan 28 and Simian 3 as materials, a field experiment was carried out in Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS(Anyang county, Henan province). Before the first low temperature treatment, the cotton seedlings were sprayed with distilled water (Control) and different concentrations of EBR (0.1 mg·L^－1 and 0.2 mg·L^－1), respectively. After 3 days, the relative electrical conductivity, chlorophyll content, rapid chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetic curve (OJIP) and fluorescence parameters were measured. Result] Under low temperature, the relative conductivity of CCRI 60, Lumianyan 28 and Simian 3 spraying with EBR decreased by 17.7%～32.8% compared with control, and there was no significant difference between CCRI 60 and Lumianyan 28 in different concentrations of EBR treatments, butthe relative conductivity of Simian 3 treating with 0.2 mg·L^－1 EBR was significantly lower than those treatments with 0.1 mg·L^－1 EBR . The chl a and chl b contents increased by 9.7%～32.6% and 15.0%～18.9%, respectively. The maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystemⅡ (F_v/F_M) and photosynthetic performance index on absorption basis(PI_ABS) increased significantly. PI_ABS of CCRI 60 increase the maximum by 75.6% using 0.1 mg·L^－1 EBR. Lumianyan 28 and Simian 3 increased the maximum by 101.1% and 265.6% using 0.2 mg·L^－1 EBR, respectively; Absorbed photon flux per cross section (ABS/CSm), electron transport flux (further than QA) per active reactive center (ETo/RC) and probability for electron transport (φEo) are significantly increased. Conclusion] Exogenous EBR can enhance the ability of low temperature tolerance of cotton seedlings and alleviate the inhibition of photosynthesis in cotton at low temperature. The study showed that 0.1 mg·L^－1 EBR performs well in CCRI 60 and 0.2 mg·L^－1 in Lumianyan 28 and Simian 3.