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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Houma, Louisiana » Sugarcane Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #259733

Title: Stem and root carbohydrate dynamics in modern vs obsolete cotton cultivars

Author
item Viator, Ryan
item NUTI, R - North Carolina State University
item WELLS, R - North Carolina State University
item EDMISTEN, K - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/28/2003
Publication Date: 1/10/2004
Citation: Viator, R.P., Nuti, R., Wells, R., Edmisten, K. 2004. Stem and root carbohydrate dynamics in modern vs. obsolete cotton cultivars. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 36(15,16):2165-2177.

Interpretive Summary: The lower stem and root starch reserve is a necessary source of photoassimilates for completion of reproductive development in cotton. Lower stem and roots were analyzed for starch content and concentration using a colorimetric technique for 33 cultivars released from 1900 to 2000. In 2001, modern cultivars had lower root and stem starch concentrations and lower root starch content than obsolete cultivars, but in 2002 there were no differences between modern and obsolete cultivars. Environmental conditions seem to affect starch dynamics more than genetics when one considers the high significance of year on the most data in this study.

Technical Abstract: The lower stem and root starch reserve is a necessary source of photoassimilates for completion of reproductive development in cotton. The objectives of this research was to determine if carbohydrate levels in the lower stem and roots have been altered due to over 100 years of breeding efforts. In 2001 and 2002, 33 cultivars released from 1900 to 2000 were planted. Two elite lines were planted in 2002. Plants were sampled at first bloom and cutout. Lower stem and roots were analyzed for starch content and concentration using a colorimetric technique. Analysis of variance by year revealed cultivar differences for starch concentration at both sample times, but starch content was only significant at first bloom in 2002. These differences, though, did not show a strong relationship with release date, indicating that a century of breeding efforts has not altered stem and root starch dynamics. Orthogonal contrast did reveal differences in starch content and concentration between obsolete, modern, and elite lines. On the other hand, these differences were not consistent across experimental years. In 2001, modern cultivars had lower root and stem starch concentrations and lower root starch content than obsolete cultivars, but in 2002 there were no differences between modern and obsolete cultivars. In 2002, elite lines had higher stem starch concentration and content, which may indicate higher photosynthetic rates. Environmental conditions seem to affect starch dynamics more than genetics when one considers the high significance of year on the most data in this study.