Development of Cotton Fruit II. Accumulation and Distribution of Mineral Nutrient¹

Abstract

Previous research on nutrient distribution in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has generally been conducted on a crop canopy base. To enable measurement of mineral nutrient demand by developing cotton bolls, it was necessary to examine the distribution of minerals among fractions of cotton bolls at specific developmental stages. Distribution of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Mn among the bur (carpel walls), seed, and fiber fractions of cotton bolls was measured between 10 days after flowering and maturity. During the initial 3‐week phase of boll enlargement, the bur accumulated reserves of N, P, and Mg which were subsequently drawn upon, presumably by the seed and fiber, during later development. The bur continuously accumulated K; bur K concentration was 5.5% at maturity. Concentration of most minerals in the seed declined initially, but then increased markedly later. The major mineral accumulated by the seed was N. At boll opening, over 90% of the boll N was in the seed. The fiber accumulated minerals during the first 5 weeks of development, but lost most of them during the final 3 weeks. The most abundant mineral in the fiber was K. Redistribution of minerals among the boll fractions appeared to have occurred. If it did, it could have partially accounted for the final patterns of mineral distribution. The data suggested that the boll remained a physiological continuum throughout development.

Nitrate and potassium concentrations in cotton petiole extracts as influenced by nitrogen fertilization, sampling date and cultivar

“…In both years of study, petiole K concentration showed a negative association with sampling date (Table 3). The reduction in petiole K concentration might be reflecting both decay in root uptake activity in maturing plants (Oosterhuis, 1994 and the great demand of K imposed by growing bolls (Leffler and Tubertini, 1976).…”

Potential Impact of Differential Production of the Cry2Ab and Cry1Ac Proteins in Transgenic Cotton in Response to Cold Stress

“…Cotton lint contains no detectable nitrogen, and hence no DNA or protein (Leffler & Tubertini 1976). The refining and processing of cotton seed oil, cotton fibre (lint) or cotton linters, both chemically and thermally, destroys or removes proteins and nucleic acids to below detectable levels .…”

Nature and Patterns of Proteins during Cotton Seed Development

“…Analyses of dry matter and mineral accumulation and distribution within the developing cotton fruit indicated that the carpel walls contribute a significant proportion of their nitrogen to developing seed (16,18). Significant incorporation of photosynthetically assimilated '4C has been measured throughout seed development (2).…”

“…The quantity of water-soluble nitrogen increased through the first 21 days of development, then declined until 42 days, when it again began to increase; it reached its highest level at maturity. There was evidence of a high peptide content 7 weeks postanthesis.Although seed development in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has been described in several reports (5,6,16,18), studies of the pattern of protein accumulation during cotton seed development are lacking. Analyses of dry matter and mineral accumulation and distribution within the developing cotton fruit indicated that the carpel walls contribute a significant proportion of their nitrogen to developing seed (16, 18).…”