TITLE:
Effect of 1-MCP on Cotton Plants under Abiotic Stress Caused by Ethephon
AUTHORS:
Yuan Chen, J. T. Cothren, Dehua Chen, Amir M. H. Ibrahim, Leonardo Lombardini
KEYWORDS:
1-MCP, Ethephon, Yield Components, Yield Distribution, Leaf Senescence
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.20,
September
26,
2014
ABSTRACT: Many environmental stress factors have been identified to increase square
and boll abscission and thus result in reduced cotton yield. Under stress
conditions, ethylene is elicited. Ethylene peaks before abscission to promote
the formation of the abscission layer and plays a major role in early season
square and boll abortion in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). In addition,
ethylene stimulates the leaf senescence process. Thus, it is desirable to
protect plants from ethylene-induced fruit loss and premature leaf senescence
under stress conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the
ability of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to protect cotton plants against
abiotic stress caused by ethephon (ethylene promoting effect). Field studies
using a randomized complete block design with four replications were conducted
in 2010 and 2011 at Texas A&M AgriLIFE Research Farm in Burleson County,
TX. Eight treatments that consisted of two 1-MCP rates (0 and 10 g a.i. ha-1)
in combination with four ethephon rates (0, 146, 292, 438 mL·ha-1)
were imposed at the first flower (FF) stage of the development. 1-MCP increased
plant height and number of main stem nodes in both years. In addition,
1-MCP-treated plants exhibited greater membrane integrity and increased photosystem
II quantum efficiency and thus delayed senescence in both years. These
potentials for yield increase were realized in 2011 with 1-MCP treatment
exhibiting a higher lint yield. In 2012, although 1-MCP treatment increased
number of open fruit and open fruit weight per plant significantly, no
significant lint yield increase was detected.