Phenotypic Characterization of im Fibers

Our primary goal in this research was to investigate cotton fiber properties of the im plant. The genotype im has been reported to be producing genetically immature fibers. im is an isogenic mutant of TM-1 (Texas Marker -1) which is wild type upland cotton.

Twenty plants of TM-1 and im were tagged in the field and individual cotton bolls were harvested. Cotton bolls were identified by fruiting branch number and by position within each branch. A mixed sample was also collected from another set of 20 plants from the greenhouse and field for assessing the overall fiber quality. Fiber testing was done using the High Volume Instrument (HVI), Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS), Mantis and Image Analysis of Fiber cross-sections. Structural analysis of fibers was done using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

The results obtained from this research show that fiber quality remains very poor throughout the im plant displaying low fiber maturity. There is no significant difference in fiber maturity from the field-grown or greenhouse-grown plants. The im can potentially serve as a unique system to understand the underlying concepts that lead to fiber immaturity. Further biochemical and molecular analysis may give insight on the secondary cell wall structure and development of this mutant.