EMS-mutated cotton populations suggest overlapping genetic control of trichome and lint fiber variation

Abstract

The complex genetic and environmental control of lint fiber yield and quality of cotton has long motivated interest in whether information from genetically-simpler trichome variations might contribute knowledge salient to cotton improvement. To investigate this question, from 3164 M 5 lines resulting from EMS mutagenesis of two Gossypium hirsutum breeding lines, TAM 94L25 and Acala 1517-99, 106 lines with leaf and stem trichome variations and 55 control lines were further studied to investigate associations between trichome variation and lint fiber development. Although only weak correlation was found between stem/leaf trichome and fiber traits, we still found that among nine fiber traits measured in replicated trials, lines with mutations affecting stem trichome development had significant alterations for seven traits in the TAM 94L25 mutants, and six in the Acala 1517-99 mutants. While the small number of leaf trichome mutants found offered only minimal statistical power to resolve differences, mutant lines had significant alterations for three of the nine traits in the TAM 94L25 mutants, and two in the Acala 1517-99 mutants. In summary, mutants in leaf and/or stem trichome development often have altered lint fiber characteristics, supporting the hypothesis that there is considerable overlap in the sets of genetic factors acting in the development of these analogous organs. Moreover, visual selection of trichome mutants may be an effective screen to identify potential new alleles affecting lint fiber development.

Differentiation in the genetic basis of stem trichome development between cultivated tetraploid cotton species

“…The Gb stem trichome density was closely correlated with fuzz fiber density. These findings supplement and complement an independent study in which106 lines with leaf and stem trichome variations were shown to often have altered lint fiber characteristics, supporting the hypothesis that there is considerable overlap in the sets of genetic factors acting in the development of these analogous organs [ 33 ]. Revealing general mechanisms and specific genes regulating the density of stem trichomes will lay a foundation for understanding the mechanisms regulating the density of cotton fibers.…”

“…Many genes were identified by homoeologous cloning and confirmed to be related to fiber development [ 2 ]. There has been long-standing interest in whether the genetics of simply inherited traits, such as trichomes in cotton, could increase our understanding of more complex processes, such as lint fiber development [ 31 , 33 ]. Simpson (1947) [ 34 ] reported that the pilose ( T 1 ) trait, which results in short dense trichomes on the vegetative parts of upland cotton, was associated with short coarse fibers.…”

Differentiation in the genetic basis of stem trichome development between cultivated tetraploid cotton species

“…The Gb stem trichome density was closely correlated with fuzz ber density. These ndings supplement and complement an independent study in which 106 lines with leaf and stem trichome variations were shown to often have altered lint ber characteristics, supporting the hypothesis that there is considerable overlap in the sets of genetic factors acting in the development of these analogous organs [33]. Revealing general mechanisms and speci c genes regulating the density of stem trichomes will lay a foundation for understanding the mechanisms regulating the density of cotton bers.…”

Comparative Mapping and Correlation Analysis Revealed Differentiation in the Genetic Basis of Stem Trichome Development Between Cultivated Tetraploid Cotton Species

“…There has been long-standing interest in whether the genetics of simply inherited traits, such as trichomes in cotton, could increase our understanding of more complex processes, such as lint ber development [31,33]. Simpson (1947) [34] reported that the pilose (T 1 ) trait, which results in short dense trichomes on the vegetative parts of upland cotton, was associated with short coarse bers. Since then, pilose has been shown to be related to yield components and ber quality [13-14, 16, 29].…”