Ethylene regulates multiple physiological processes in cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) ranging from square and boll abscission to senescence. This field study investigated the effect of an ethylene inhibiting compound 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on boll development and the corresponding subtending leaves. The study was conducted in 2011 and 2012 at the Texas A & M Agri-LIFE Research Farm in Burleson County, TX. The study consisted of two rates of 1-MCP (0 and 10 g a.i. ha -1 ) applied at one and two weeks after first flower. Boll development and subtending leaves were studied on the tagged flowers during the growing season. 1-MCP treatment increased cotton boll weight at 20 days after flowering. This study showed that 1-MCP-treated subtending leaves exhibited decreased membrane damage and lipid peroxidation, and higher chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency at 20 to 30 days after flowering. The healthier state of subtending leaves should have provided more carbohydrates for the fruits which could partially explain the reason for the increased boll weight. However, this beneficial effect of 1-MCP did not last to the end of the growing season and failed to result in a yield increase ultimately. Multiple applications or extending effective duration of 1-MCP is desirable to enhance the activity of 1-MCP to make a significant difference in cotton yield.
Keywords1-MCPEthyleneAbscissionLeaf SenescenceSubtending LeafBoll Development
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