Developing functional relationships between waterlogging and cotton growth and physiology- towards waterlogging modeling

Authors: BEEGUM, SAHILA - University Of Nebraska; TRUONG, VAN - Mississippi State University; BHEEMANAHALLI, RAJU - Mississippi State University; BRAND, DAVID - Mississippi State University; Reddy, Vangimalla; REDDY, KAMBHAM - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/2023
Publication Date: 7/31/2023
Citation: Beegum, S., Truong, V., Bheemanahalli, R., Brand, D., Reddy, V., Reddy, K.R. 2023. Developing functional relationships between waterlogging and cotton growth and physiology- towards waterlogging modeling. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1174682.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1174682

Interpretive Summary: The cotton crop is known to be poorly adapted to waterlogging. Existing cotton crop models do not have the capability to simulate the impact of waterlogging on cotton crops. However, a waterlogging model will help make informed decisions regarding cropping and management practices in regions exposed to waterlogging. In order to develop a waterlogging model or improve existing cotton crop models to simulate waterlogging, relationships between waterlogging and cotton crop growth and development need to be established experimentally. As a first step towards this, the current study is focused on establishing functional relationships between waterlogging duration and plant growth and development. These are developed by conducting cotton crop growth experiments under different durations of waterlogging and systematically investigating the impact on cotton crop growth and development. The functional relationships developed in this study can serve as a base for developing or improving cotton models to simulate the impact of waterlogging.

Technical Abstract: Cotton crop is known to be poorly adapted to waterlogging, especially during the early growth stages. Developing functional relationships between crop growth and development parameters and the duration of waterlogging is essential to develop or improve existing cotton crop models for simulating the impact of waterlogging. In the present study, eight waterlogging treatments, including the control treatment, were imposed at the vegetative stage. Control treatment had zero days of water-logged condition; other treatments had 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 days of waterlogging. It took five days to reach zero oxygen levels and one to two days to return to control after the treatment. All physiological parameters were decreased with the number of days of waterlogging. Flavonoid and anthocyanin index increased with increased duration of waterlogging. Photosynthesis and whole plant dry weight in continuously waterlogged conditions were 75% and 78% less compared to 0, and 2-day water-logged plants. Plant height, stem diameter, number of main stem leaves, leaf area, and leaf length also decreased with waterlogging duration. In continuously waterlogged conditions, the percentage decrease in root length, root volume, and root surface area was 70%, 86%, and 95% compared to the control. When waterlogging duration increased, leaf, stem, and root macronutrients decreased, while micronutrients showed mixed trends. Based on the experimental study, functional relationships and waterlogging stress response indices are developed between growth and development parameters and duration of waterlogging. This can serve as a base for developing or improving process-based cotton models to simulate the impact of waterlogging.