Variability of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) with regard to earliness

Eighty cotton varieties (Gossypium hirsutum L.) from the collection of VIR (N.I. Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Industry, St. Peterburg, Russia) collection were studied for variability with regard to the duration of their vegetation period. The experiments were carried out in the conditions of the marginal zone of the cotton growing area, that is the city of Krasnodar in the Russian Federation. Thirty-four varieties were studied in 1996–1998, forty-six varieties in 1997–1998. The purpose of this research was to determine the threshold of sensitivity in the varieties of the duration of the period of vegetative growth, which depends upon weather conditions, and to record variations in morphological characters associated with earliness. The data obtained were processed by the method of statusmetry. The mathematical models which were constructed showed the relationship between the criteria for earliness and other morphological and agronomic characters of the plants.     

Changes in photosynthesis and antioxidant metabolism of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants in response to manganese stress

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the physiological and biochemical responses of cotton plants to manganese (Mn²⁺) nutrition. Four cotton genotypes (G1 – TMG 47; G2 – FM 975 WS; G3 – TMG 11 WS and G4 – IMA 8405 GLT) were grown in nutrient solution under two Mn²⁺ concentrations (2 and 200 µmol L^?1) for 10 days. No visible symptoms of Mn²⁺ toxicity were observed in the genotypes tested. All genotypes showed a marked increase in leaf chlorophylls, pheophytins, carotenoids, sucrose and total sugars concentration in response to high Mn²⁺ in a nutrient solution. However, the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, internal carbon dioxide concentration and transpiration decreased in genotypes G1 and G2 growing under 200 µmol L^?1. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities increased in genotypes G1, G3 and G4. Cotton genotypes showed an increased leaf antioxidant and sugar metabolism as a possible strategy to mitigate oxidative stress. The decrease in the net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance; the increased antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD, APX and GR); and the increase in leaf sucrose and total sugar concentration were the main physiological and biochemical responses in cotton plants to Mn²⁺ stress.     

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid metabolism in transgenic tolerant cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

The metabolic fate of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was studied in leaves of transgenic 2,4-D-tolerant cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), which is obtained by transfer of the tfdA gene from the bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus. The tdfA gene codes for a dioxygenase catalyzing the degradation of 2,4-D to 2, 4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). [phenyl-(14)C]-2,4-D was administered by petiolar absorption followed by an 18 h water chase or converted to the isopropyl ester and sprayed onto the leaf surface; the leaves were harvested 48 h later. The herbicide was degraded to 2,4-DCP by the bacterial enzyme expressed in the plants. 2,4-DCP was rapidly converted to more polar metabolites and was never found in detectable amounts. Metabolite structures were deduced from enzymatic hydrolysis studies and mass spectrometric analyses. The first metabolite was the glucoside conjugate of 2,4-DCP (2, 4-DCP-beta-O-glucoside). The major terminal metabolites were two more complex glucosides: 2,4-DCP-(6-O-malonyl)glucoside and 2, 4-DCP-(6-O-sulfate)glucoside.     

How potassium deficiency alters flower bud retention on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Potassium (K) is fundamental for plant growth and development but despite the increased quantities of fertilizers applied, incidents of K deficiency are commonly observed. The objective of this study was to record the effects of K deficiency during cotton’s (Gossypium hirsutum L.) early reproductive stage on carbohydrate content and metabolism, total antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage of cotton flower buds as well as the physiology of the leaf, subtending to the flower buds. Growth chamber experiments were conducted using cotton cultivar DP0912 and treatments consisted of normal K and deficient K fertilization for the duration of the experiment. Potassium deficiency resulted in significant oxidative damage in the cotton flower buds, despite the substantial increase in their total antioxidant capacity. Sucrose metabolism of the flower buds was markedly affected resulting in significant reductions in all non-structural carbohydrate concentrations. Furthermore, K deficiency disturbed leaf physiology leading to increased membrane damage, decreases in chlorophyll and carotenoid content and ultimately leaf photosynthetic rates. Concomitant increases in specific leaf weight under K deficient conditions indicated reductions in photoassimilate translocation, which in conjunction with the disruptions observed in flower bud sucrose metabolism, due to the insufficient antioxidant response, resulted in significant decreases in flower bud retention.     

兔角蛋白基因转化棉花及其纤维品质的改良

利用农杆菌介导转化法,将棉纤维特异表达启动子GAE6-3A驱动的兔角蛋白基因（MP）转入常规棉花“冀合713”中。PCR及Southern杂交分析表明,兔角蛋白基因已整合进棉花基因组。6个转基因株系中,4个为单拷贝插入,转基因后代的分离符合孟德尔3：1的1对基因的分离规律,外源基因在这些转基因后代中能稳定遗传。对这4个转基因株系T3代纤维检测结果表明,兔角蛋白基因对棉花纤维品质的影响主要是纤维强度的提高,其中3个株系纤维强度提高率达10％以上。     

Evaluating the effectiveness of biofertilizer on salt tolerance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

In the present study, the effectiveness of biofertilizer containing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria was evaluated on growth and physiology of cotton under saline conditions. Cotton plants were exposed to different levels of NPK (50%, 75%, and 100% of recommended levels) along with coating with biofertilizer under saline (15 dS m^?1) and non-saline conditions. It was observed that the biofertilizer seed coating improved growth, physiological (relative water content and chlorophyll content index), and ionic (K⁺/Na⁺) characteristics under saline and non-saline conditions. However, shoot growth (shoot fresh and dry weight) and leaf gas exchange characteristics (CO₂ assimilation rate, A; intercellular CO₂ concentration, C_i; transpiration rate, E; stomatal conductance, g_s) were decreased by biofertilizer coating under saline condition. Increasing levels of NPK fertilizer increased shoot growth, whereas root growth was maximum at 75% NPK level under saline conditions. The results of the study indicate that the biofertilizer application was very effective for cotton plant in non-saline conditions but not very effective in saline conditions.     

Effect of nitrogen and wheat residue on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and weed control

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residues and nitrogen (N) management are the major problems in the southern part of Iran where irrigated wheat–cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)–wheat rotation is a common practice. A 2-year (2009–2011) field experiment was conducted as a split plot design with four replications at a cotton field (Darab), Fars Province, Iran, to determine the influence of different rates of wheat residue (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%) incorporation and N rates (150, 200, 300, and 400 kg ha^?1) on weed suppression, yield, and yield components of cotton. Results showed that a higher residue incorporation and a lower N rate improved weed suppression in both years. For treatments receiving 150 kg N ha^?1 and 75% of wheat residues (2250 kg ha^?1), weed biomass and density were significantly lower compared to treatments receiving 400 kg N ha^?1. The highest cotton lint yield (about 2400–2700 kg ha^?1) was obtained by 300 kg N ha^?1 in the absence of residue application, in both years. Incorporation of 25% of wheat residue (750 kg ha^?1) and application of 300 kg N ha^?1 are recommended to guarantee an optimum level of cotton lint yield and weed suppression in a wheat–cotton–wheat rotation in this region.     

Genotypic variations in ion homeostasis,photochemical efficiency and antioxidant capacity adjustment to salinity in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

To determine the genotypic variation in response to salt (NaCl) stress in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings, potassium (K⁺) and sodium (Na⁺) homeostasis, photochemical energy utility, reactive oxygen metabolism and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were comparatively analyzed in three cotton cultivars (CCRI 49, CCRI 35 and Z 51504) under salt constraint. The results showed that NaCl treatment significantly inhibited biomass accumulation, and the extent of inhibition was highest in CCRI 49 and lowest in Z 51504. Salinity caused an ion imbalance in plants but ion homeostasis was less pronounced in Z 51504, as it accumulated more K⁺ and less Na⁺. Experiments of salt shock treatment were tested using a non-invasive micro-test (NMT) system, which also revealed that Z 51504 had lower Na⁺ influx and better K⁺ retention. Salinity increased excess-energy dissipation [non-photochemical quenching (qN) and photorespiration rate (PR)], but depressed photochemical efficiency such as photosynthesis rate (P_n), quenching (qP), photochemical quantum yield of photosystem (Φ_PSII) and electron transport rate (ETR). As a result, more electrons were driven to other sinks, for example decreasing ETR/P_n and increasing the O₂^? generation rate. However, the superior tolerance of Z 51504 had a better balance of photochemical energy under salt conditions, displayed higher photochemical efficiency and excess-energy dissipation. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzyme activities were also affected by salt stress and less effectively removed reactive oxygen species. The antioxidant enzyme activities of Z 51504 were higher than those of CCRI 49 and CCRI 35, which resulted in lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitigated the salt-induced membrane lipid peroxidation. The overall results indicated that more effective retention of ions, photochemical energy utility and ROS-removing capability were probably the main reasons for the stronger salt tolerance in Z 51504.     

Agronomic traits at the seedling stage,yield, and fiber quality in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars in response to phosphorus deficiency

ABSTRACT

Cotton is critical for phosphorus demands and very sensitive for its deficiency. However, identifying the effect of low-phosphorus tolerance on cotton growth, yield, and fiber quality by reducing phosphorus consumption. This may help to develop phosphorus-tolerant high-yielding cotton cultivars. In a two-year repeated (2015 and 2016) hydroponic experiment (using 0.01 and 1 mM KH₂PO₄), two cotton cultivars with phosphorus sensitivity (Lu 54; a low-phosphorus sensitive and Yuzaomian 9110; a low-phosphorus tolerant) were screened on the base of agronomic traits and physiological indices through correlation analysis, cluster analysis and principal component analysis from 16 cotton cultivars. Low phosphorus nutrition reduced the plant height, leaf number, leaf area, phosphorus accumulation and biomass in various organs of seedlings. The deficiency negatively affected the morphogenesis of seedlings, as well as yield and fiber quality. Further, these screened cultivars were tested in a pot experiment with 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1 during 2016 and 2017. It was found to have a significant (P< 0.05) difference in boll number, lint yield, fiber strength, and micronaire at the harvest. Furthermore, after collectively analyzed the characteristics of Lu 54 and Yuzaomian 9110, there were six key indices that could improve the low phosphorus tolerance of cotton cultivars. These were root phosphorus accumulation, stem phosphorus accumulation percentage, leaf and total biomass of seedlings, seed cotton weight per boll and fiber length.     

施氮量对不同开花期棉（Gossypium hirsutum L.）铃纤维细度和成熟度形成的影响

为兼顾试验的重复性和生态区域性,选用高品质棉（科棉1号）和常规棉（美棉33B）品种为材料,于2005年分别在江苏南京（118o50E, 32o02N,长江流域下游棉区）和江苏徐州（11711E, 3415N,黄河流域黄淮棉区）设置施氮量（低氮:N 0 kg/hm2;适氮:N 240 kg/hm2;高氮:N 480 kg/hm2）试验,研究施氮量对不同开花期棉铃纤维细度、成熟度和马克隆值形成的影响。结果表明:（1）施氮量显著影响棉纤维细度、成熟度和马克隆值的形成过程,但三者在不同开花期对氮素水平的响应不同,施氮量与开花期对棉纤维细度、成熟度和马克隆值的形成存在互作效应。8月10日前开花的棉铃,铃期［花后0～50 d （DPA）］日均温在23.3 oC以上,纤维细度、马克隆值以N 0 kg/hm2施氮量下最大,棉纤维马克隆值与纤维细度的相关性较大;8月25日开花的棉铃（铃期日均温在20.8～23.3 oC之间）,纤维成熟度、马克隆值以N 240 kg/hm2施氮量下最大;9月10日开花棉铃（铃期日均温低于20.8 oC）,纤维细度、成熟度和马克隆值均以N 480 kg/hm2最大,棉纤维马克隆值与纤维成熟度的相关性增强。（2）影响不同开花期间纤维细度、成熟度和马克隆值的主要因素是铃期日均温,最终纤维细度、成熟度和马克隆值在不同施氮量之间的变异与不同开花期（铃期日均温不同）间的变异比较,前者显著小于后者。综上,因开花期不同而形成的铃期日均温是决定细度、成熟度和马克隆值的最重要因素,施氮量可通过对位叶叶氮浓度NA影响棉纤维细度、成熟度和马克隆值的形成过程,增加施氮量可减小上述指标在不同开花期间的差异。     

Genotypic variation of potassium uptake and use efficiency in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Potassium (K) deficiency is one of the main limiting factors in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production. To study the mechanism of high K‐use efficiency of cotton, a pot experiment was conducted. The experiment consisted of two cotton genotypes differing in K‐use efficiency (H103 and L122) and two K‐application levels (K₀: 0 g (kg soil)^–1; K₁: 0.40 g (kg soil)^–1). Root‐hair density and length, partitioning of biomass and K in various organs, as well as K‐use efficiency of the two cotton genotypes were examined. The results show that there was no significant difference in K uptake between the two genotypes at both treatments, although the genotype H103 (high K‐use efficiency) exhibited markedly higher root‐hair density than genotype L122 in the K₁ treatment. Correlation analysis indicates that neither root‐hair density nor root‐hair length was correlated with plant K uptake. Furthermore, the boll biomass of genotype H103 was significantly higher than that of genotype L122 in both treatments, and the K accumulation in bolls of genotype H103 was 39%–48% higher than that of genotype L122. On the other hand, the litter index (LI) and the litter K‐partitioning index (LKPI) of genotype H103 were 14%–21% and 22%–27% lower than that of genotype L122. Lastly, the K‐use efficiency of total plant (KUE‐P) of genotype H103 was comparable with that of genotype L122 in both treatments, but the K‐use efficiency in boll yield (KUE‐B) of genotype H103 was 24% and 41% higher than that of genotype L122 in K₀ and K₁ treatments. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that KUE‐P was positively correlated with BKPI and negatively correlated with LKPI, while KUE‐B was positively correlated with BKPI and boll‐harvest index (HI_B), and negatively correlated with LKPI. It is concluded that there were no pronounced effects of root‐hair traits on plant K uptake of the two genotypes. The difference in K‐use efficiency was attributed to different patterns of biomass and K partitioning rather than difference in K uptake of the two genotypes.     

Quantitative analysis of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) lint trash by fluorescence spectroscopy

The presence of cotton plant botanical components, or trash, embedded in lint subsequent to harvesting and ginning is an important criterion in the classification of baled cotton by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service. The trash particles may be reduced in size to the point that specific trash types are not identifiable by image or gravimetric analysis, and it is desirable to quantify different trash types so that processing lines may be optimized for removal of the most problematic trash to enhance processing performance and cotton lint quality. Currently, there are no methods available to adequately quantify cotton lint trash based on botanical origin. The present work attempts to address this issue through the analysis by fluorescence spectroscopy of dimethyl sulfoxide extracts of mixtures of six botanical trash types. The fluorescence data are subsequently subjected to chemometric analysis. The resulting 6 partial least-squares calibration models obtained from 128 mixtures are demonstrated in the case of leaf and hull to be capable of predicting individual trash component concentrations with a high degree of confidence.     

Soil microbial activity is affected by Roundup WeatherMax and pesticides applied to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Adoption of glyphosate-based weed control systems has led to increased use of the herbicide with continued use of additional pesticides. Combinations of pesticides may affect soil microbial activity differently than pesticides applied alone. Research was conducted to evaluate the influence of glyphosate-based cotton pest management systems on soil microbial activity. Soil was treated with commercial formulations of trifluralin, aldicarb, and mefenoxam + pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) with or without glyphosate (applied as Roundup WeatherMax). The soil microbial activity was measured by quantifying C and N mineralization. Soil microbial biomass was determined using the chloroform fumigation-incubation method. Soils treated with glyphosate alone exhibited greater cumulative C mineralization 30 days after treatment than all other treatments, which were similar to the untreated control. The addition of Roundup WeatherMax reduced C mineralization in soils treated with fluometuron, aldicarb, or mefenoxam + PCNB formulations. These results indicate that glyphosate-based herbicides alter the soil microbial response to other pesticides.     

K-priming positively modulates growth and nutrient status of salt-stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedlings

Being macronutrient, K⁺ is involved in a number of metabolic processes including stimulation of over 60 enzymes. The present study was conducted to investigate whether K-priming could alleviate the effects of salinity on the growth and nutrient status of cotton seedlings. The seeds of two cotton cultivars, namely FH-113 and FH-87, were primed with solutions of three potassium sources (KNO₃, K₂SO₄ and K₂HPO₄) using three concentrations (0%, 1.25% and 1.5%) of each potassium source. After 1 week of germination, the seedlings were subjected to salinity (0 and 200 mM NaCl) stress. The results showed that salinity significantly affected growth and nutrients status of cotton seedlings. The K-priming alleviated the stress condition and significantly improved dry matter as well as nutrient uptake in cotton seedlings. Of the priming treatments pre-sowing treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) was most effective in increasing shoot and root lengths and biomass of cotton seedlings. The seedlings raised from seed treated with KNO₃ (1.5%) showed varied accumulation of cations (Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and faced less oxidative stress irrespective of cotton cultivars under salt stress. The results suggested that pre-sowing seed treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) might be recommended for synchronized germination and sustainable production of cotton crop under saline environments.     

Effects of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) straw and its biochar application on NH3 volatilization and N use efficiency in a drip-irrigated cotton field

Reducing ammonia (NH₃) volatilization is a practical way to increase nitrogen (N) fertilizer use efficiency (NUE). In this field study, soil was amended once with either cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) straw (6 t ha^?1) or its biochar (3.7 t ha^?1) unfertilized (0 kg N ha^?1) or fertilized (450 kg N ha^?1), and then soil inorganic N concentration and distribution, NH₃ volatilization, cotton yield and NUE were measured during the next two growing seasons. In unfertilized plots, NH₃ volatilization losses in the straw-amended and biochar-amended treatments were 38–40% and 42–46%, respectively, less than that in control (i.e., unamended soil) during the two growing seasons. In the fertilized plots, NH₃ volatilization losses in the straw-amended and biochar-amended treatments were 30–39% and 43–54%, respectively, less than that in the control. Straw amendment increased inorganic N concentrations, cotton yield, cotton N uptake and NUE during the first cropping season after application, but not during the second. In contrast, biochar increased cotton N uptake and NUE during both the first and the second cropping seasons after application. Furthermore, the effects of biochar on cotton N uptake and NUE were greater in the second year than in the first year. These results indicate that cotton straw and cotton straw biochar can both reduce NH₃ volatilization and also increase cotton yield, N uptake and NUE. In addition, the positive effects of one application of cotton straw biochar were more long-lasting than those of cotton straw.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from fertilized,irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in the Aral Sea Basin,Uzbekistan: Influence of nitrogen applications and irrigation practices

Nitrous oxide emissions were monitored at three sites over a 2-year period in irrigated cotton fields in Khorezm, Uzbekistan, a region located in the arid deserts of the Aral Sea Basin. The fields were managed using different fertilizer management strategies and irrigation water regimes. N₂O emissions varied widely between years, within 1 year throughout the vegetation season, and between the sites. The amount of irrigation water applied, the amount and type of N fertilizer used, and topsoil temperature had the greatest effect on these emissions.Very high N₂O emissions of up to 3000 μg N₂O-N m^?2 h^?1 were measured in periods following N-fertilizer application in combination with irrigation events. These “emission pulses” accounted for 80–95% of the total N₂O emissions between April and September and varied from 0.9 to 6.5 kg N₂O-N ha^?1.. Emission factors (EF), uncorrected for background emission, ranged from 0.4% to 2.6% of total N applied, corresponding to an average EF of 1.48% of applied N fertilizer lost as N₂O-N. This is in line with the default global average value of 1.25% of applied N used in calculations of N₂O emissions by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.During the emission pulses, which were triggered by high soil moisture and high availability of mineral N, a clear diurnal pattern of N₂O emissions was observed, driven by daily changes in topsoil temperature. For these periods, air sampling from 8:00 to 10:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00 was found to best represent the mean daily N₂O flux rates. The wet topsoil conditions caused by irrigation favored the production of N₂O from NO₃^? fertilizers, but not from NH₄⁺ fertilizers, thus indicating that denitrification was the main process causing N₂O emissions. It is therefore argued that there is scope for reducing N₂O emission from irrigated cotton production; i.e. through the exclusive use of NH₄⁺ fertilizers. Advanced application and irrigation techniques such as subsurface fertilizer application, drip irrigation and fertigation may also minimize N₂O emission from this regionally dominant agro-ecosystem.     

Construction of a core germplasm bank of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) based on phenotype,genotype and favorable alleles

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Core germplasm banks are constructed to provide breeders with maximum genetic diversity concomitant with minimum genetic redundancy for a faster breeding...     

Isoflavone,glyphosate, and aminomethylphosphonic acid levels in seeds of glyphosate-treated,glyphosate-resistant soybean

The estrogenic isoflavones of soybeans and their glycosides are products of the shikimate pathway, the target pathway of glyphosate. This study tested the hypothesis that nonphytotoxic levels of glyphosate and other herbicides known to affect phenolic compound biosynthesis might influence levels of these nutraceutical compounds in glyphosate-resistant soybeans. The effects of glyphosate and other herbicides were determined on estrogenic isoflavones and shikimate in glyphosate-resistant soybeans from identical experiments conducted on different cultivars in Mississippi and Missouri. Four commonly used herbicide treatments were compared to a hand-weeded control. The herbicide treatments were (1) glyphosate at 1260 g/ha at 3 weeks after planting (WAP), followed by glyphosate at 840 g/ha at 6 WAP; (2) sulfentrazone at 168 g/ha plus chlorimuron at 34 g/ha applied preemergence (PRE), followed by glyphosate at 1260 g/ha at 6 WAP; (3) sulfentrazone at 168 g/ha plus chlorimuron at 34 g/ha applied PRE, followed by glyphosate at 1260 g/ha at full bloom; and (4) sulfentrazone at 168 g/ha plus chlorimuron at 34 g/ha applied PRE, followed by acifluorfen at 280 g/ha plus bentazon at 560 g/ha plus clethodim at 140 g/ha at 6 WAP. Soybeans were harvested at maturity, and seeds were analyzed for daidzein, daidzin, genistein, genistin, glycitin, glycitein, shikimate, glyphosate, and the glyphosate degradation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). There were no remarkable effects of any treatment on the contents of any of the biosynthetic compounds in soybean seed from either test site, indicating that early and later season applications of glyphosate have no effects on phytoestrogen levels in glyphosate-resistant soybeans. Glyphosate and AMPA residues were higher in seeds from treatment 3 than from the other two treatments in which glyphosate was used earlier. Intermediate levels were found in treatments 1 and 2. Low levels of glyphosate and AMPA were found in treatment 4 and a hand-weeded control, apparently due to herbicide drift.     

Variation in surface chemical constituents of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fiber as a function of maturity

Modern cotton yarn production technology has made it imperative that new predictors of yarn spinning efficiency be determined. Surface frictional forces play a large role in spinning efficiency, yet little is known about the chemical constituents comprising the cotton fiber surface or their respective roles in inter-fiber frictional behavior. Major cotton fiber surface chemical components including pectin, wax, soluble salts, and sugars were quantified, and their respective relationships to cotton fiber maturity, as measured by micronaire, determined for 87 cotton samples exhibiting large variations in age, micronaire, genetics, and growing region. In the case of pectin and wax, inverse relationships with micronaire were found, whereas salts and sugars exhibit linear relationships with micronaire. Using these mathematical relationships, it will be possible to develop predictive models of whether spinning performance of different cottons is affected by deviations of the chemical constituents from the determined relationships.     

Evaluation of spectrophotometric and HPLC methods for shikimic acid determination in plants: models in glyphosate-resistant and -susceptible crops

Endogenous shikimic acid determinations are routinely used to assess the efficacy of glyphosate in plants. Numerous analytical methods exist in the public domain for the detection of shikimic acid, yet the most commonly cited comprise spectrophotometric and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. This paper compares an HPLC and two spectrophotometric methods (Spec 1 and Spec 2) and assesses the effectiveness in the detection of shikimic acid in the tissues of glyphosate-treated plants. Furthermore, the study evaluates the versatility of two acid-based shikimic acid extraction methods and assesses the longevity of plant extract samples under different storage conditions. Finally, Spec 1 and Spec 2 are further characterized with respect to (1) the capacity to discern between shikimic acid and chemically related alicyclic hydroxy acids, (2) the stability of the chromophore (t1/2), (3) the detection limits, and (4) the cost and simplicity of undertaking the analytical procedure. Overall, spectrophotometric methods were more cost-effective and simpler to execute yet provided a narrower detection limit compared to HPLC. All three methods were specific to shikimic acid and detected the compound in the tissues of glyphosate-susceptible crops, increasing exponentially in concentration within 24 h of glyphosate application and plateauing at approximately 72 h. Spec 1 estimated more shikimic acid in identical plant extract samples compared to Spec 2 and, likewise, HPLC detection was more effective than spectrophotometric determinations. Given the unprecedented global adoption of glyphosate-resistant crops and concomitant use of glyphosate, an effective and accurate assessment of glyphosate efficacy is important. Endogenous shikimic acid determinations are instrumental in corroborating the efficacy of glyphosate and therefore have numerous applications in herbicide research and related areas of science as well as resolving many commercial issues as a consequence of glyphosate utilization.