High-Throughput Phenotyping and Genetic Analysis of the Physiological Responses of Cotton to An Arid Environment

In the past century, high yielding cotton has been adapted to the irrigated agricultural areas of central and western Arizona. Despite progress, it will be perhaps a greater challenge to further increase the yield of cotton in this period of global climate change and diminishing fresh water supplies. Genetic improvement of cotton via modern plant breeding is the most sustainable and economical approach to address these eminent problems. However, the development of superior heat tolerant and water-use efficient cotton cultivars has been slowed by a limited knowledge of the physiological processes that relate to improved productivity under supra-optimal temperatures and water deficit. This project is striving to enhance our understanding of which physiological traits are important for higher yield in Arizona. To accomplish this, we are studying the genetic basis of physiological stress responses and productivity in Upland (Gossypium hirsutum) and Pima (Gossypium barbadense) cotton grown under well-watered (heat stress) and water-limited conditions (heat and drought stresses). We present results from a statistical genetic analysis of phenotypic data that were predominantly collected with tractor-based and hand-held sensor technologies.