Enhanced plant growth, development and fiber yield of Bt transgenic cotton by an integration of plastic mulching and seedling transplanting

<b>Cotton productivity enhanced through transplanting and early sowing

“…This strategy gives the best option for improving the earliness indices, i.e., early flowering, its lengthening period and more importantly, early maturing of bolls (Xiang et al, 2006). Dong et al (2007) also reported that transplantation of cotton seedlings during the early season aided in extending the period of reproductive development (flowering and bolling), thus improving the reproductive-vegetative ratio during the season. Wang, Isoda, and Wang (2004) reported that the transplanting of cotton could allow the crop to escape early and mid-season weather stress in certain production areas.…”

“…Transplanted cotton has been found to be profitable because it maintains optimum plant population and a greater number of bolls per unit area. Similarly, advantages of transplanted cotton relative to seed cotton and lint yield have been found in other cotton-growing countries (El-Sahrigi, Kamel, & El-Khatib, 2001;Karve, 2003;Dong, Li, Tang, Li, & Zhang, 2007). Very little research has been conducted and reported regarding enhancing productivity by transplanting during the early growing season to avoid high temperatures at the time of planting and reproductive development.…”

Root Development of Transplanted Cotton and Simulation of Soil Water Movement under Different Irrigation Methods

“…Zhongmiansuo 50) seedlings were raised in a greenhouse by sowing seeds in substrate (turf:vermiculite:perlite = 5:4:1). The seedlings were grown in separate soil blocks with a height of 35 mm and an inner diameter of 40 mm [3]. Several of the agronomic practices used are listed in Table 2.…”

“…(1) The root systems of transplanted cotton are significantly damaged, with many fine roots being lost when the cotton is transplanted into the field. This root damage decreases the ability of transplanted cotton to absorb moisture and nutrients; (2) After transplantation, the growth environment of the roots changes from a substrate containing high levels of nutrients and moisture in the seedling greenhouse to relatively poor soil in the field [3,4]. Therefore, the speed and quality of root recovery after transplantation are important factors that affect the root water uptake and yield of transplanted cotton; (3) The root systems of direct-seeded cotton are arranged in the shape of an inverted cone, whereas the roots of transplanted cotton are arranged in the shape of a claw [10].…”

“…Transplantation of cotton after the winter wheat harvest has gradually become a more common planting pattern on the NCP [2]. This pattern can improve cultivated land use efficiency and allow both cotton and grain crops to be harvested [2,3]. Compared to the traditional winter wheat-cotton intercropping system, transplantation of cotton after winter wheat harvest can increase the winter wheat planting area by 40% and is beneficial for mechanized cultivation [4][5][6].…”