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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #410742
Research Project: Advancing Cotton Genetics and Innovative Cropping Systems for Improved Quality and Production

Location: Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research

Title: Phenotypic variability in the U.S. upland cotton core set for root traits and water use efficiency at the late reproductive stage

Author
item GHIMERE, O - Clemson University
item SPIVEY, W - Clemson University
item KURAPARTHY, V - North Carolina State University
item Campbell, Benjamin - Todd
item JONES, M - Clemson University
item Thomas, Joseph
item BRIDGES, W - Clemson University
item NARAYANAN, S - Clemson University

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/27/2024
Publication Date: 3/19/2024
Citation: Ghimere, O.P., Spivey, W.W., Kuraparthy, V., Campbell, B.T., Jones, M., Thomas, J.W., Bridges, W.C., Narayanan, S. 2024. Phenotypic variability in the U.S. upland cotton core set for root traits and water use efficiency at the late reproductive stage. Crop Science. 64(3):1831-1845. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21229.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21229

Interpretive Summary: The objectives of this study were to characterize the U.S. upland cotton core set for root traits and water use efficiency and determine the traits associated with water use efficiency The core set includes 23 out of the 381 accessions of the cotton diversity panel and represents 74% of the allelic diversity in U.S. upland cotton. Based on 16 root and shoot traits, water use, and water use efficiency, Deltapine 14, Station Miller, and Southland M1 were identified as the best performers, and Toole, Paymaster HS200, Western Stormproof, CD3HCABCUH-1-89, and PD 2164 as poor performers. The water use efficiency of the core set genotypes was positively correlated with very fine root (diameter <0.25 mm) length, surface area, and volume and total root weight (correlation coefficient =0.45). These traits serve as beneficial root traits for developing new varieties with enhanced water use efficiency. The identified genotypes and traits will be valuable for developing the next generation of water-use-efficient cotton varieties with a broad genetic base.

Technical Abstract: To incorporate root traits that improve water use efficiency in cotton variety development programs, harnessing the genetic variability for root traits is essential. The objectives of this study were to characterize the U.S. upland cotton core set for root traits and water use efficiency and determine the traits associated with water use efficiency The core set includes 23 out of the 381 accessions of the cotton diversity panel and represents 74% of the allelic diversity in U.S. upland cotton. Plants were grown in plastic columns (125 cm height, 15 cm diameter) in a greenhouse in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. Half of the columns contained a synthetic hardpan at a depth of 25 cm. Plants were harvested when >50% of the population opened bolls. Based on 16 root and shoot traits, water use, and water use efficiency, Deltapine 14, Station Miller, and Southland M1 were identified as the best performers, and Toole, Paymaster HS200, Western Stormproof, CD3HCABCUH-1-89, and PD 2164 as poor performers irrespective of the presence or absence of hardpan stress to root growth. The water use efficiency of the core set genotypes was positively correlated with very fine root (diameter <0.25 mm) length, surface area, and volume and total root weight (correlation coefficient =0.45). These traits serve as beneficial root traits for developing new varieties with enhanced water use efficiency. The identified genotypes and traits will be valuable for developing the next generation of water-use-efficient cotton varieties with a broad genetic base through advanced breeding techniques involving genomic tools and genetic diversity.