Effect of 1-MCP on Cotton Boll Development

Ethylene works as an elicitor of morphological changes during a plant’s life cycle, and it regulates multiple physiological processes in cotton ranging from square and boll abscission to senescence process. This study investigated the effect of an ethylene inhibiting compound 1-Methycyclopropene (1-MCP) on cotton boll development process. 1-MCP treatment significantly increased the cotton boll weight at 20, 30, 40, and 50 days after flowering.  The cotton bolls primarily get carbohydrates produced by the subtending leaves. The healthier subtending leaves might help to increase the yield. This study showed that 1-MCP treated subtending leaves exhibited a decreased membrane leakage and lipid peroxidation, and higher chlorophyll content and photosynthesis rate.  The healthier state of subtending leaves could provide more carbohydrates for the fruits which partially explain the reason for the increased boll weight.