Transcriptomic Profiling in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in Response to Cold Stress at the Early Seedling Stage

The upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is extremely sensitive to cold given its tropical origin. This effectively restricts the geographical distribution, as well as regions where it can be successfully cultivated. Exposure of the cotton plant to low temperatures at the early stages of growth and development can result to arrested growth. This study presents a comparative transcriptome profile between a cold-susceptible and cold-tolerant genotype of cotton that were grown under the minimum cardinal temperature of 15°C during the early seedling stage. Preliminary results will serve as a basis for the identification and cloning of the causative genes/major QTLs that confer vigor in cotton during the early seedling stage.