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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #113989
Title: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COLD TOLERANCE, SOIL TEMPERATURE, AND AM COLONIZATION OF COTTON

Author
item McMichael, Bobbie
item ZAK, J - TEXAS TECH UNIV
item HOPPER, N - TEXAS TECH UNIV

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The growth and development of the root systems is under genetic control but is modified by the environment. One of the most important environmental factors that influence root system development is soil temperature. Soil temperature changes have also been shown to impact the association of mycorrhizal fungi with roots which can impact both water and nutrient utilization. A series of studies in which cotton genotypes having differing amounts of cold tolerance were grown at either 28 or 18C soil temperature for 30 days. The impact of these temperature regimes on root development and mycorrhizal colonization was determined. A positive relationship was observed between root length and cold tolerance. The relationship appeared to be stronger for plants grown at 18C suggesting a differential expression of the cold tolerance traits. In general, there was no relationship between mycorrhizal colonization and cold tolerance characteristics across the genotypes tested. Cold soil temperatures appeared to restrict mycorrhizal colonization regardless of the plant's ability to tolerate these conditions.