Screening and Evaluating Wild Cotton for Salt Tolerance Characteristics (part II)

Environmental changes, over worked lands, and lack of good irrigation practices have combined to cause salinity to become a problem in crop production. Also, water quality is negatively influenced by the drag of sediment depositions formed over time by subterranean erosion. These factors interfere in the plant's developmental growth and in time will impact cotton productivity. Quantitative and qualitative mechanisms were examined to comprehend morphological and physiological effects from salinity.

     The objective of this research is to screen and develop cotton germplasm for salt tolerance. (1) Study salt tolerance behavior using a wild cotton germplasm that has exhibited good growth under saline conditions. (2) Develop segregating populations to evaluate fiber quality due to salt stress.

    A hydroponics system has been developed under greenhouse conditions to screen for salt tolerance characteristics. Survivals are transplanted into soil media and further evaluated using different practices.

    A germplasm line has been selected as a strong candidate for salt tolerance. It is being used to study the plant's developmental growth, morphological characteristics and physiological responses. The information collected demonstrates tolerance from the salt treatments. The study is also being carried out in the field at two different locations.

    The information provides some understanding about salt tolerance expression in a wild cotton germplasm line.  From this work crosses from this gerplasm will be made with elite cultivars. This information will be useful in evaluating salt adaptability over time and will hopefully results in new germplasm with improved tolerance to salinity.