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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #352666
Title: A new Ligon-lintless mutant (liy) in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Author
item Bechere, Efrem
item Naoumkina, Marina
item Fang, David

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/2020
Publication Date: 12/28/2020
Citation: Bechere, E., Naoumkina, M.A., Fang, D.D. 2020. A new Ligon-lintless mutant (liy) in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Journal of Cotton Science. 24:168-174.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton fiber mutants are useful tools for understanding cotton fiber development. In this study we are reporting a new fiber mutant which is the result of artificial chemical mutagenesis. In 2008, the cotton line MD 15, which produces normal fiber, was treated with the chemical ethyl methane sulfonate, which causes mutations in plants. In 2010, a single lintless plant was identified among the 2,000 mutant progeny plants and was designated Ligon-lintless-y. Through crossing back to the original MD 15 line, we determined that the new lintless trait is controlled by one recessive gene designated as liy. This new mutant can be used as a tool by scientists investigating how fiber length is controlled in cotton.

Technical Abstract: Cotton fiber mutants are useful tools for understanding the genetics and physiology of cotton fiber development. Currently, there are two naturally occurring dominant mutant lines, Ligon-lintless-1 (Li1) and Ligon-lintless-2 (Li2) and one man-made mutant line, Ligon-lintless-x (Lix) that exhibit extremely short lint fibers. Here we report a new mutant which is the result of artificial chemical mutagenesis. In 2008, the cotton line MD 15 (PI 642769) was mutagenized with 3.2% v/v ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). In 2010, a single Ligon-lintless type plant was identified among the 2,000 M2 mutant progeny plants and was designated liy. This plant was crossed with the wild type MD 15 with the objective of determining the genetic control of the lintless trait. Unlike Li1, Li2 and Lix, which are controlled by monogenic and dominant genes, this new lintless trait is controlled by a monogenic recessive gene designated as liy. The liy plant is very short and stunted and has an okra leaf phenotype. This new lintless mutant will be useful in investigating fiber elongation in cotton.