Studying the foliar selenium-modulated dynamics in phenology and quality of terminal heat-stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in association with yield

Abstract

Coincidence of heat stress with reproductive stages of cotton accelerates phenology and deteriorates the quality of cotton fiber. A field study was conducted for 2 years to investigate the beneficial role of foliar selenium (Se) application in alleviating the adverse effects of heat stress on cotton growth, development and yield. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split arrangement and replicated thrice. Three levels of heat treatment were assigned in the main plots, that is, H₀ = No heat stress; H₁ = Heat stress imposed at squaring and H₂ = Heat stress imposed at flowering. Four levels of foliar spray of Se at 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/L were applied in each subplot. A remarkable decrease in phenology, quality attributes and seed cotton yield was observed under ‘H₁’ and ‘H₂’, compared to ‘H₀’. Similar improvements in phenology were recorded with all three doses of Se application, whereas only the highest Se dose 150 mg/L significantly improved seed cotton yield and fiber quality. Conclusively, heat stress was more detrimental at flowering than at the squaring stage for cotton crop in terms of the examined attributes. Application of Se at 150 mg/L is, therefore, recommended to alleviate heat stress, due to its proven beneficial effect on fiber quality and seed yield.

Keywords:

• Cotton
• fiber fineness
• fiber length
• cotton ginning
• growth
• high temperature
• thermo-sensitivity

Acknowledgments

We genially applaud technical services offered by Analytical Laboratory, Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad Pakistan during the conduct of experiments. All authors have read the manuscript and authors have no conflict of interest. Thanks are extended to Erik Pavey of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), who has carefully edited the latest version. This is a joint contribution between University of Agriculture Faisalabad Pakistan and AAFC. AAFC-ORDC contribution no. 20-018.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.