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.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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...     

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.     

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.     

Effect of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi combined with manure on the change in concentration some mineral elements in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the synergy of indigenous AMF and sheep manure (SM) on potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and some micronutrient concentrations in cotton plant. Indigenous AMF were a mixture of Glomus viscosum, Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices initially isolated from a cotton field. Cotton was grown for 12 weeks and the elements of shoot were determined at three stages of plant growth. Inoculated cotton plants with AMF had higher concentrations of K, Ca, manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) than non-mycorrhizal plants. Shoot concentrations of these elements increased significantly when SM was added to mycorrhizal plants. Maximum plant micronutrient uptake was found in the treatment of AMF inoculation with SM. Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn uptake increased significantly by 457%, 282%, 272% and 295%, respectively, over control. Indigenous AMF combined with SM resulted in better plant growth and micronutrient uptake.     

新疆棉花品种的耐盐性综合评价

为了解北疆7种常用棉花品种的耐盐性,通过50、100和150mmol/L 3个NaC l浓度的胁迫处理,在棉花种子萌发阶段进行发芽势、发芽率的测定,在水培条件下对7个品种的生长势进行了比较,并采用隶属函数法进行耐盐性综合评价。根据耐盐性综合评价值得出供试7个棉花品种种子萌发阶段的耐盐性顺序为:新陆早10号新陆早13号新陆早12号新陆早17号新陆早31号新陆早26号新陆早18号;在幼苗生长阶段为:新陆早17号新陆早10号新陆早13号新陆早31号新陆早18号新陆早12号新陆早26号。由此可见,种子萌发阶段与幼苗生长阶段的耐盐性是不一致的,但新陆早10号在2个生长时期的耐盐性均表现较高,而新陆早26号则对盐害表现较为敏感。     

Zinc Application Enhances Biological Yield and Alters Nutrient Uptake by Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is often associated with calcareous soils throughout the world, whereas application of Zn not only enhances biological yield but exhibits significant interactions with nutrients. Hence, a two-year field experiment was performed in 2004 and 2005 to assess the crop Zn requirements as well as nutrient interactions in cotton. The present study followed a randomized complete block design with five Zn levels: 0.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, and 12.5 kg Zn as ZnSO₄.7H₂O. The biological yield of cotton increased progressively with increasing Zn rates. In general, cotton yield was higher in 2005 over 2004. Interestingly, Zn fertilization resulted in increased accumulation of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), boron (B), and Zn, whereas decreased the phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) (p ≤ 0.05) uptake by cotton. The enhanced macronutrients accumulation in cotton by Zn application improved the cotton yield. In conclusion, biological yield and nutrient composition of the cotton plant are greatly influenced by Zn supply under irrigated environments.     

施钾量和施钾时期对棉花产量及不同部位棉铃纤维品质性状的影响

在大田试验条件下,以鲁棉研28号为材料,设置两个施钾量（K2O 100和150 kg/hm2）,采用一次性基施,1/2基施、1/2花铃期追施,研究施钾量和施钾时期对棉花（Gossyium hirsutum L.）产量及不同部位棉铃纤维品质性状的影响。结果表明:与不施钾相比,施钾显著提高了籽棉产量和皮棉产量;在施钾量为K2O 150 kg/hm2的条件下,与一次性基施相比,分期施钾极显著提高了籽棉产量和皮棉产量;采用分期施钾时（1/2基施、1/2花铃期追施）,随施钾量增加,籽棉产量和皮棉产量均显著增加,单株成铃数的增加是产量提高的主要原因。结果还表明,与不施钾相比,施钾显著提高了中部及上部果枝内围果节的马克隆值,分期施用K2O 150 kg/hm2显著提高了中部果枝外围果节的纤维长度、比强度以及中部果枝内围果节的纤维成熟度;在施钾时期相同的条件下,增加施钾量对纤维长度、比强度无显著影响,在施钾量相同的条件下,与一次性基施相比,分期施钾对纤维比强度无显著影响。     

Bollgard II cotton: compositional analysis and feeding studies of cottonseed from insect-protected cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) producing the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 proteins

Bollgard II cotton event 15985 producing the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 proteins has been developed by genetic modification to broaden the spectrum of insects to which the plant is tolerant and to provide an insect resistance management tool to impede the onset of resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the composition and nutrition of Bollgard II cotton, relative to the use for food and animal feed, compared to that of conventional cotton varieties. Compositional analyses were conducted to measure proximate, fiber, amino acid, fatty acid, gossypol, and mineral contents of cottonseed from a total of 14 U.S. field sites over two years. Compositional analysis results showed that the cottonseed and cottonseed oil from Bollgard II cotton were comparable in their composition to those of the conventional control cotton line and other commercial varieties. The composition data are supported by nutritional safety studies conducted with dairy cows, catfish, and quail. Results from these studies showed that Bollgard II performed similarly to the conventional control cotton varieties. These data demonstrate that Bollgard II cotton is compositionally and nutritionally equivalent to conventional cotton varieties. These data support the conclusion that Bollgard II cotton is as safe and nutritious as conventional cotton for food and feed use.     

Nitrogen mineralization in a pecan (Carya illinoensis K. Koch)–cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) alley cropping system in the southern United States

Information on temporal and spatial patterns of N mineralization is critical in designing tree-crop mixed systems that could maximize N uptake while minimizing N loss. We quantified N mineralization rates in a pecan (Carya illinoensis K. Koch)–cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) alley cropping system in northwestern Florida with (non-barrier) and without tree-crop belowground interactions (barrier separating the root systems of pecan and cotton). Monthly rates of mineralization were estimated using buried bag incubations over a 15-month period. In addition, seasonal mineralization rates and cotton lint yield on soils supplied with two sources of N—inorganic fertilizer and organic poultry litter—were assessed. Results indicated that temporal variations in net NH₄ and NO₃ accumulation and mineralization rates were driven primarily by environmental factors and to a lesser degree by initial soil NH₄ and NO₃ levels. Mineralization varied by belowground interaction treatment during the initial growing season, when the non-barrier treatment exhibited a higher mineralization rate than the barrier treatment, likely due to reduced nutrient uptake by cotton in the non-barrier or a higher degree of immobilization in the barrier treatment. Mineralization during the second growing season was similar for both treatments. Source of N had no effects on N transformation in the soil. Lint yield reductions were observed in the non-barrier treatment during both years compared to the barrier treatment, likely due to interspecific competition for water. Yield differences between treatments in the second growing season were likely compounded by a diminishing pre-study fallow effect. Source of N was found to have a significant effect on cotton yield, with inorganic fertilizer resulting in 39% higher lint compared to poultry litter in the barrier treatment.     

甘肃不同色彩陆地棉抗旱指标筛选及评价研究

在甘肃省敦煌棉区高密度覆膜栽培模式下,以不同基因型的白色纤维、棕色纤维和绿色纤维10个品种(系)为试验材料,在正常供水与持续干旱胁迫条件下,测定棉花对水肥最敏感的花铃期的生理生化指标和生长期间的农艺性状指标,应用多元统计分析方法,进行抗旱性综合评价,以确定棉花简单、易用的抗旱鉴定指标,为彩色棉花抗旱品种选育提供依据。研究结果表明:选择的抗旱综合评价相关的类胡萝卜素含量、离体叶片失水速率、花铃期叶片数、断裂比强度、可溶性蛋白含量、纤维长度、无效果枝数、丙二醛含量、生育期和叶片相对电导率等10个指标,可有效鉴定棉花资源的抗旱性。D值与抗旱性呈显著的正相关,根据D值的大小得出10个参试棉花材料的抗旱性由强到弱依次为BC05-07-18-2、BC06-10、白色棉陇1-1-3、BC06-45、GC06-45、G3-1、陇棉2号、G3-6、陇棕棉1号、陇绿棉3号。     

Effect of Substrate Dependent Ethylene on Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) at Physiological and Molecular Levels Under Salinity Stress

The potential of encapsulated calcium carbide (ECC) in improving growth, yield and physiology of cotton under salinity was evaluated in pot experiment. Salinity was induced by sodium chloride (NaCl) at 0, 1250 and 2000 ppm. The ECC was applied at the rate of 0, 15, and 30 mg kg^?1 soil. The results revealed that ECC improved number of branches, yield, shoot dry biomass, root dry biomass, by 57, 67, 40, 22, and 18% respectively, over control. Similarly, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P and K) concentration of shoot were enhanced by 38, 34, 7, 25 and 11% over control, respectively. The induction of new set of proteins ranging from 11 to 26 kDa was also observed at various levels of ECC and salinity stress. These results proved the efficacy of very lower concentrations of ethylene produced by ECC and showed the behavior of different parameters of cotton to it under saline stress.     

Impact of the use of biofertilizers on cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum ) crop under irrigated agro-ecosystem

High nitrogen fixing, phosphate solubilizing, phytohormones producing isolates of Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Acetobacter and Pseudomonas were used as inoculants for cotton. Important cultures were selected on the basis of their effect on root/shoot length and chemotactic behaviour. Selected bioinoculants were earlier tested for their beneficial properties like nitrogen fixation (ARA), ammonia excretion, IAA production etc. These bio-inoculants were further tested for phosphate solubilization property. Various chosen strains were tested with Desi (HD 123) and American (H 1098) cotton under field conditions (as for wheat). Plant height and boll weight were determined at the time of harvesting whereas survival rate of inoculated bacteria was determined after 30, 80 and 130 days respectively. In the year 2000–01, on the basis of boll number and boll weight plant^?1 AVK 51 (36; 76.2?g plant^?1), HT 57 (27; 56.9?g plant^?1), AC18 (33; 61.5?g plant^?1), Ala 27 (36; 61.4?g plant^?1) and Pseudomonas (34; 71.3?g plant^?1) were identified as significant both for American and desi cotton varieties. Highest survival rate was observed with Mac 68 (33.4 × 10⁵) followed by HT54 (31.5 × 10⁵) after 30 days of sowing, which decreased after 80 days and remained constant up to 130 days. This trend was observed with all the cultures. Similar results were observed in 2001–02. 25?kg ha^?1 N saving was observed with A. chroococcum (AVK51) bioinoculant for cotton crop.