Abstract
Only a few transcription factors (TFs) regulating which cells of the ovule epidermis differentiate into lint fibres have been identified in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). In this study, the effect on lint yield and fibre quality of over-expressing three TFs in cotton, GhHD-1, GhMYB25 and GhMYB25Like, and their double and triple combinations, were evaluated in field experiments over two seasons. The expression of single or stacked TFs were all driven either by an ovule-specific promoter, FBP 7, or a constitutive promoter, Stunt 7, in a Coker 315 background. TF type, either singly or in combination, was found to be the most significant factor affecting lint yield. Among 64 transgenic lines tested, seven were higher yielding than null segregant lines in one or both seasons and were all from the sets with single and double over-expressed TF combinations. A reduced yield was associated with the set of triple combinations. The two most stable high yielding lines across the seasons recorded 12–22% higher yields than the nulls, although were not competitive to locally adapted commercial controls. Over-expression of TFs singly or in combination did not significantly alter fibre length and strength, but sometimes increased fibre micronaire. There were positive relationships between lint yield and lint percentage and lint yield and fibre density amongst the transgenic lines. Our preliminary results suggest that manipulating TF expression, either singly or in pairs, can increase the density of fibres initiated on developing seeds and fibre yields under field conditions while maintaining overall fibre quality.
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Availability of data and material (data transparency)
Materials described in this study are available subject to CSIRO’s commercial germplasm agreements with third parties.
Change history
14 October 2020
Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding, an extra middle initial erroneously appeared in the original publication and the full name of the first author should read Shi Ming Liu.
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the technical support of our past and present CSIRO team members, at Narrabri: David Shann, Heidi Clements, Kellie Cooper, Deon Cameron, Chris Allen, Max Barnes, Louise Zemcevicius, Kay Smith, Sandra Magann, Scott McCarron, Michael Price, Adam Suckling, and in Canberra: Todd Collins, Merran Hunter, Judy Radik, Judith Gaudron. The authors thank Drs. Qianhao Zhu and Warren Conaty for the critical reading of the manuscript prior to submission whose comments have improved the manuscript. This study was funded through Cotton Breeding Australia, a Joint Venture between CSIRO and Cotton Seed Distributors (Wee Waa, NSW 2388, Australia).
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This study was funded through Cotton Breeding Australia, a Joint Venture between CSIRO and Cotton Seed Distributors (Wee Waa, NSW 2388, Australia).
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by SL, JK and SAW. The first draft of the manuscript was written by SL, DL and GC and all authors commented on and revised previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Liu, S.M., Koebernick, J.C., Walford, SA. et al. Improved lint yield under field conditions in cotton over-expressing transcription factors regulating fibre initiation. Transgenic Res 29, 529–550 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-020-00214-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-020-00214-x