Inducing waterlogging tolerance in cotton via an anti-ethylene agent aminoethoxyvinylglycine application

Increased ethylene biosynthesis in cotton tissues have been associated with accelerated fruit abscission and yield losses in waterlogged cotton. In a series of glasshouse and field experiments, we investigated the effect of various application rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 [active ingredient, ai] ha(-1)) and time (pre- and post-waterlogging) of an anti-ethylene agent, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) on the growth and yield of cotton. The glasshouse study suggested that AVG (100-150 g [ai] ha(-1)) applied 24 h prior to waterlogging can increase growth and fruit retention (FR) of waterlogged (WL) and non-waterlogged (NWL) cotton. The positive effects of AVG were further validated in two years of field studies, suggesting that AVG (125 g [ai] ha(-1)) applied at an early reproductive phase of cotton can significantly increase cotton yield under WL (13%, averaged over two years) and NWL (9%, averaged over two years) environments. Yield increase in AVG-treated cotton was associated with increased number of bolls, boll weight and FR. On the other hand, no further improvement in cotton yield under higher AVG concentration (150 g [ai] ha(-1)) indicated the saturation of AVG on ethylene inhibition. Thus, appropriate AVG concentration and application timing may help overcome waterlogging-induced yield losses in cotton production systems.