ARS | Publication request: A NEW BIOASSAY TO DETERMINE THE ONSET OF WATER STRESS IN COTTON

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 4, 2005
Publication Date: January 7, 2005
Citation: Burke, J.J. 2005. A new biossay to determine the onset of water stress in cotton[abstract]. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. January 4-7, 2005. New Orleans, Louisiana.

Technical Abstract: Determining that onset and magnitude of water stress in cotton is essential if informed management decisions or germplasm selections are to be made. Unfortunately, available techniques to determine the onset of water stress are cumbersome and the sensitivities insufficient. This paper describes the development of a new bioassay to determine the onset of water stress in cotton. The bioassay capitalizes on the plant's inherent sensitivity to stress and the impact of stress on source-sink relations. Two to three hundred samples can be analyzed in minutes following an initial incubation period. Daily changes in cotton stress responses have been detected during the onset of water stress and in the recovery of the plant following irrigation or rainfall. This bioassay also provides basic information on the effectiveness of a rainfall event in alleviating water stress in cotton.