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Review
. 2017 Mar;15(3):271-284.
doi: 10.1111/pbi.12688.

Drought coping strategies in cotton: increased crop per drop

Abid Ullah  1 , Heng Sun  1 , Xiyan Yang  1 , Xianlong Zhang  1
Affiliations
Review

Drought coping strategies in cotton: increased crop per drop

Abid Ullah et al. Plant Biotechnol J. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

The growth and yield of many crops, including cotton, are affected by water deficit. Cotton has evolved drought specific as well as general morpho-physiological, biochemical and molecular responses to drought stress, which are discussed in this review. The key physiological responses against drought stress in cotton, including stomata closing, root development, cellular adaptations, photosynthesis, abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, have been identified by researchers. Drought stress induces the expression of stress-related transcription factors and genes, such as ROS scavenging, ABA or mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signalling genes, which activate various drought-related pathways to induce tolerance in the plant. It is crucial to elucidate and induce drought-tolerant traits via quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis, transgenic approaches and exogenous application of substances. The current review article highlights the natural as well as engineered drought tolerance strategies in cotton.

Keywords: ABA; MAPK; ROS; cotton; drought stress.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Unstable world cotton production and their consumption since 2007.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Numerous effects of drought stress on cotton and their responses.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Various signalling pathways connectively enhance drought tolerance in cotton. These pathways work together to maintain their normal activities under drought stress.
Figure 4
Figure 4
ABA mediated signalling pathway during normal and stress conditions. Under normal conditions, ABA content is low, and SnRK2 protein kinase activity is inhibited by PP2C phosphatases. Under drought stress, the cellular ABA level increases, and ABA then binds to PYR/PYL/RCARs, which in turn bind and inactivate PP2Cs. The SnRK2s autoactivate when they dissociate from PP2Cs. Activated SnRK2s phosphorylate downstream targets and trigger ABA‐induced physiological and molecular responses.
Figure 5
Figure 5
ROS scavenging machinery having two arms: enzymatic arm and nonenzymatic arm. Enzymatic arm contents on various enzymes which converting ROS into other substances. Likewise, Nonenzymatic arm content on other substances which scavenge ROS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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