Use of plant growth regulators to reduce 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid-Na (MPCA-Na) damage in cotton

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1777587/v1

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Research Article

Use of plant growth regulators to reduce 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid-Na (MPCA-Na) damage in cotton

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1777587/v1

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Background

2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid-Na (MPCA-Na) is a phenoxy carboxylic acid selective hormone herbicide that is widely used in crop fields. However, drift of MPCA-Na during application is highly damaging to cotton plants. This study was carried out from 2019 to 2020 to determine the effects of different concentrations of MPCA-Na on physiological metabolism and cotton yield at the seedling, budding, flowering and boll stages. Moreover, we evaluated the different combinations of brassinosteroids, gibberellin, phthalanilic acid and seaweed fertilizer, which used to ameliorate herbicide damage.

Results

MPCA-Na exposure caused a decrease in the chlorophyll content, and an increase in the soluble protein content, MDA content and protective enzyme activity. MPCA-Na also caused significant reductions in plant height, boll number and the single boll weight at the seedling and budding stages, but had little effect on plant height and the single boll weight at flowering and boll stages. Under the maximum recommended dose of MPCA-Na (130 g/L), the number of cotton bolls at seedling and bud stages decreased by 75.33% and 79.50%, respectively, and the single boll weight decreased by 46.42% and 36.31%, respectively. However, the number of cotton bolls and single boll weight at flowering and boll stages decreased by 48.15% and 5.38%, respectively. Application of plant growth regulators decreased the MDA content, and increasing chlorophyll, soluble protein content and protective enzyme activity, and reducing the degree of MCPA-Na damage. Positive effects were also observed in terms of cotton yield.

Conclusions

The results suggest that certain plant growth regulators could be used to alleviate MPCA-Na damage and maintain cotton yield. When the cotton exposed to MCPA-Na at the seedling stage should be treated with phthalanilic acid + seaweed fertilizer, while plants exposed at the budding stage should be treated with brassinosteroids + seaweed fertilizer, and those exposed at the flowering and boll stages should be treated with gibberellin + seaweed.

MCPA-Na

cotton

plant growth regulators

physiological metabolism

protective enzymes

yield

2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid-Na (MCPA-Na) is a phenoxyacetic acid selective hormone herbicide [1]. MCPA-Na exposure disrupts the transportation tissue in dicotyledonous plants, interfering with plant growth and development, and thereby, achieving the purpose of weeding [2]. In China, MCPA-Na is widely used to control broadleaf weeds such as pondweed, meadow pine, and sedge in wheat, rice, sugarcane and flax fields [3–6]. In addition, MCPA-Na is also used for inter-row directional weed control in cotton fields [7]. However, due to the lack of a protective cover on the application nozzle, drift as well as direct exposure can also cause serious damage to the cotton plants themselves [8]. Reducing the impact of cotton damage and the subsequent losses in yield is therefore essential.

For a long time, herbicide damage has been an important limiting factor of crop yield, especially in relation to inactivated herbicides [9–11]. Field observations show that cotton is extremely sensitive to MCPA-Na. For example, after exposure, leaves became pale and brittle as well as wrinkled and thickened with prominent veins, while the overall leaf shape becomes narrow, leaf margins of young leaves curl upwards, becoming cup-shaped, bracts turn red, and buds, flowers and young bolls are prone to drop [8]. Due to the inability of cotton to metabolize MCPA-Na, callus-like growths also develop on the lower stem and roots, resulting in the wilting of young buds and tissue necrosis [8]. Moreover, this damage often occurs during important growth periods, such as the seedling, bud, flowering or boll stages. In our previous study, exposure of cotton seedlings to MCPA-Na caused an increase in the soluble protein content and protective enzyme activity [9]. However, whether this occurs following MCPA-Na exposure during other growth stages and the subsequent effects on cotton yield remain unknown.

Plant growth regulators play an important role in regulating crop growth and development, improving yield and quality, and enhancing stress resistance [12–13]. Notably, growth regulators improve the ability of plants to resist drought, salinity, and pests [14–16]. In addition, they are also used to alleviate pesticide damage. For example, brassinosteroids protects maize from amphetamine damage [17], while combined application of sodium nitrophenolate, choline chloride and inositol reduce pyraclostrobin damage in soybean and maize seedlings [18]. Similarly, gibberellic acid was found to alleviate S-metolachlor damage in rice seedlings [19]. Recent research further suggests that plant growth regulators alleviate damage by improving the activity of protective enzymes [20]. However, their effectiveness in alleviating MCPA-Na toxicity in cotton is yet to be determined. Clarification of the detoxification mechanism of plant growth regulators in MCPA-Na-exposed cotton is therefore important.

This study examined the effects of MCPA-Na on physiological metabolism and yield traits in cotton following exposure at the seedling, budding, flowering and boll stages. The protective effects of different combinations of plant growth regulators on MCPA-Na phytotoxicity were then examined at each growth stage. The results provide an understanding of the underlying mechanism of MCPA-Na toxicity in cotton, supporting measures aimed at the use of plant growth regulators to alleviate damage, which has important practical significance for cotton producers.

Experimental Field and Plants

The field experiment was conducted at Shihezi University Educational Test Site, Xinjiang, China (86°E, 44°N). The soil was loam, containing 7.51 mg·kg^− 1 organic carbon, 1.32 g·kg^− 1 total nitrogen, 185 mg·kg^− 1 available potassium and 7.12 mg·kg^− 1 available phosphorus. The land has been growing cotton for more than 5 years. The experiment was conducted from 2019 to 2020.

The cotton variety used was Xinluzao 12 (provided by Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences), and the seeds were treated with imidacloprid seed coating agent (Gaucho® Bayer Crop Science, 600 mL/100 kg seeds). Seeding was carried out under mulch film with width of 1.5 m. Row were spaced at (30 + 50 + 30) cm, the cotton plants were spaced above 10 cm, and with a planting density of 150,000 plants/hm².

Experimental field management

Before sowing, (NH₄)₃PO₄ 175 kg/hm² and urea 260 kg/hm² were applied as basal fertilizer. The experiment was sowed on 15 April, 2019 and 25 April, 2020. Irrigation was carried out four times throughout the growing period on 2019 (28 June, 18 July, 8 August, and 24 August) and 2020 (15 June, 7 July, 1 August, and 19 August), respectively. Drip irrigation was also carried out using 4125 and 4830 m³/hm² water on 2019 and 2020, respectively. During the cotton growth period (June-August), 525 kg/hm² urea, and 450 kg/hm² KH₂PO₄·NH₄H₂PO₄ were added to drip irrigation with water fertilization. Chemical capping was carried out on 2019 (10 July and 25 July) and 2020 (3 July and 20 July) using 250–300 g/hm² mepiquat chloride (Pix® HC, Basf), respectively. Pest and disease control were carried out according to standard management practices, mainly to control cotton aphids, thrips and spider mites.

MPCA-Na and plant growth regulators

The following plant growth regulators were used: 13% MPCA-Na aqueous solution (Songrun Pharmaceutical Factory, Jilin, China), 0.0075% Brassinosteroids aqueous solution (Xinchaoyang Crop Science Co., Ltd., Chengdu, China), 75% Gibberellin crystal powder (Tongrui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China), seaweed fertilizer (Xinhefeng Agrochemical Information Co., Ltd., Beijing, China), and 20% Phthalanilic acid soluble concentrate (Sunger Bioscience Co., Ltd, Shanxi, China).

MCPA-Na application

According to the recommended dose of 13% MCPA-Na, concentrations of 0, 8.125, 16.25, 32.5, 65 and 130 g/L (500 kg water/hm²) were configured for use in this study. The experiment followed a complete randomized block design, with each plot measuring an area of 100 m². A 3WBD-20 L back-loaded electric sprayer was used to evenly apply MCPA-Na at the seedling (growth of the fourth true leaf), budding, flowering and boll stages. Each treatment was repeated three times. Contents of chlorophyll, soluble protein and MDA, and activities of SOD, CAT and POD in the cotton leaves were then measured on days 1, 4 and 7 after treatment. Plant height, boll number and the single boll weight were also measured on 15 October 2019 and 10 October 2020 (harvest period) to determine the effect on yield.

Application of plant growth regulators following MCPA-Na exposure

A complete randomized block design was also used to study the effects of the plant growth regulators, with each plot measuring 100 m². MCPA-Na at the maximum concentration of 130 g/L was applied using the 3WBD-20 L back-loaded electric sprayer at the seedling, bud, flowering and boll stages. Two days after spraying MCPA-Na, different combinations of plant growth regulators were then applied (see Table 1 for each treatment combination). T0 (control), T1 (brassinosteroids), T2 (gibberellin + seaweed fertilizer), T3 (brassinosteroids + seaweed fertilizer) and T4 (phthalanilic acid + seaweed fertilizer), T5 (gibberellin), T6 (brassinosteroids + gibberellin + phthalanilic acid + seaweed fertilizer), T7 (phthalanilic acid), T8 (brassinosteroids + gibberellin + phthalanilic acid). 0.0075% Brassinolide, 75% gibberellin, 20% phenylamino acid and seaweed fertilizer were applied at dosages of 0.25 mL/L, 0.01 g/L, 0.5 g/L, and 3.5 mL/L (500 kg water/hm²), all of which represent the recommended concentrations of each component. Each treatment was repeated three times. Contents of chlorophyll, soluble protein and MDA, and activities of SOD, CAT and POD in the cotton leaves were then measured as above on days 1, 4 and 7 after treatment. Plant height, boll number and the single boll weight were also measured on 15 October 2019 and 10 October 2020 (harvest period) to determine the effect on yield.

Table 1

Combinations of plant growth regulators.
	Gibberellin	Brassinosteroids	Phthalanilic acid	Seaweed fertilizer
T0	-	-	-	-
T1	-	+	-	-
T2	+	-	-	+
T3	-	+	-	+
T4	-	-	+	+
T5	+	-	-	-
T6	+	+	+	+
T7	-	-	+	-
T8	+	+	+	-

Analysis of chlorophyll, soluble protein, MDA and protective enzyme activity in the cotton leaves

Chlorophyll content was measured using the acetone ethanol method [21], soluble protein was determined using the G-250 dye colorimetric method [22], and the MDA content was determined based on the thiobarbituric acid method [23]. CAT, POD and SOD activity were determined using the guaiacol method [24], UV absorption method [25] and riboflavin-NBT method [26], respectively.

Analysis of plant height, boll number and the single boll weight

On 15 October 2019 and 10 October 2020, 20 cotton plants were randomly selected from each treatment for analysis of plant height, boll number and the single boll weight. Plant height was determined as the length from the stem base to the growing point. The number of cotton bolls per plant, and the single boll weight was determined as the lint weight of a single cotton boll. Each treatment was repeated three times then mean values were obtained.

Statistical analysis

Microsoft Excel 2010 was used for data processing and plotting. SPSS 20.0 data processing software was used for all statistical analyses, giving mean values and standard errors. The LSD test was used to test for significance between the differences in means.

Effects of MCPA-Na exposure and application of plant growth regulators at the seedling stage

MPCA-Na exposure at the seedling stage caused a decrease in chlorophyll, and increases in contents of soluble protein and MDA, and activity of all protective enzymes. Plant height, boll number and the single boll weight all decreased with increasing MPCA-Na (Fig. 1). Meanwhile, with time, the contents of chlorophyll and soluble protein decreased, contents of MDA and activities of SOD and POD increased, and activity of CAT decreased (Fig. S1).

Compared with the control, treatment with a high concentration of MPCA-Na (130 g/L) caused decreases in the chlorophyll content of 30.72, 29.93, and 41.86% (p < 0.05) on days 1, 4 and 7 after treatment, respectively (Fig. 1A). Meanwhile, the soluble protein content increased by 34.62, 74.99, and 68.97%, while that of MDA increased by 3.90, 5.43, and 34.95%, respectively (p < 0.05, Fig. 1B & C). SOD activity decreased by 34.30%on day 1 after treatment then increased by 20.90 and 25.42% on days 4 and 7, respectively (p < 0.05, Fig. 1D). Meanwhile, POD activity increased by 76.28, 128.85, and 319.01%, while CAT activity increased by 44.68, 79.31, and 45.78% (p > 0.05), respectively (p > 0.05, Fig. 1E and F). Compared with the control, plant height decreased by 42.08%, the number of bolls decreased by 75.33%, and the single boll weight decreased by 46.42% following treatment with 130 g/L MPCA-Na (p < 0.05, Fig. 1G, H and I).

Application of the plant growth regulators caused a decrease in the contents of chlorophyll, soluble protein and MDA, and had a positive effect on protective enzyme activity, and reducing cotton yield losses (Fig. 2). With time, the chlorophyll and soluble protein contents increased then decreased, while the MDA content showed a gradual increase, SOD and POD activity decreased, and CAT activity increased then decreased (Fig. S2).

On days 1 and 4, the chlorophyll content was significantly lower under T6 than T1, T2, T3 and T4 (Fig. 2A). Meanwhile, on days 1, 4 and 7, the soluble protein content was significantly lower under T3 and T4 than T1 (Fig. 2B). The MDA content was significantly lower under T8 than T1 (Fig. 2C), while on day 7, SOD activity was significantly higher under T4 and T6 than all other treatment groups (Fig. 2D). On day 4, highest POD activity was observed under T4 at 763.33 U·g^− 1 DW·min (Fig. 2E), while highest CAT activity was observed under T8 at 666.67 U·g^− 1 DW·min (Fig. 2F). Plant height was highest under T5 (Fig. 2G), while boll number and single boll weight were highest under T4 (Fig. 2H and I).

Effects of MCPA-Na exposure and application of plant growth regulators at the budding stage

After MPCA-Na exposure at the budding stage, the content of chlorophyll decreased, while contents of soluble protein and MDA, and activity of the protective enzymes increased. Plant height, boll number and the single boll weight decreased with increasing MPCA-Na concentration (Fig. 3). With time, contents of chlorophyll and soluble protein gradually decreased, while the MDA content, and SOD and POD activities increased following treatment with 130 g/L MPCA-Na. CAT activity first increased then decreased (Fig. S3).

Compared with the control, the chlorophyll content decreased by 5.42, 23.68, and 38.07% on days 1, 4 and 7 after treatment with 130 g/L MPCA-Na, respectively (p < 0.05, Fig. 3A), while the soluble protein content increased by 9.75 and 2.53% on days 1 and 4 then decreased by 41.52% on day 7 (p < 0.05, Fig. 3B). The MDA content increased by 21.49, 92.10, and 164.19%, respectively (p > 0.05, Fig. 3C), while SOD activity decreased by 0.21% on day 1 then increased by 11.50 and 3.30% on days 4 and 7 (p < 0.05, Fig. 3D). POD activity increased by 73.32, 75.01, and 99.56%, while CAT activity increased by 22.32 and 25.95% on days 1 and 4 then decreased by 6.25% on day 7 (p < 0.05, Fig. 3E & F). Compared with the control, plant height decreased by 54.95%, the number of bolls decreased by 79.50%, and the single boll weight decreased by 36.31% following treatment with 130 g/L MPCA-Na (p < 0.05, Fig. 3G, H & I).

Application of plant growth regulators increased the chlorophyll and soluble protein content, decreased the MDA content, and improved the protective enzyme activity, and reducing cotton yield losses (Fig. 4). With time, the chlorophyll, soluble protein, and MDA contents decreased along with POD activity, and improved SOD and CAT activity (Fig. S4).

On days 1 and 4, the chlorophyll content was significantly higher under T2, T3, T4 and T8 than T6 (Fig. 4A). On day 7, the soluble protein content was highest under T2 at 23.0 mg/g (Fig. 4B), while on days 1, 4 and 7, the MDA content was significantly lower under T4 and T5 than under T1 and T2 (Fig. 4C). On day 1, SOD activity was highest under T8 at 48.75 U·g^− 1 DW·min (Fig. 4D), while POD activity was highest under T1 at 535.35 U·g^− 1 DW·min (Fig. 4E). On day 7, CAT activity was highest under T2 at 341.41 U·g^− 1 DW·min (Fig. 4F). Plant height was highest under T6 (Fig. 4G), while the number of cotton bolls was highest under T3 (Fig. 4H), and the single boll weight was highest under T7 (Fig. 4I).

Effects of MCPA-Na exposure and application of plant growth regulators at the flowering and boll stages

MPCA-Na exposure decreased the chlorophyll content, increased the soluble protein content, MDA content and protective enzyme activity, had little effect on plant height and boll weight, and reduced the boll number at both the flowering and boll stages (Fig. 5). Meanwhile, with time, the chlorophyll content decreased, while the soluble protein content, MDA content and protective enzyme activity increased (Fig. S5).

Compared with the control, the chlorophyll content under 130 g/L MPCA-Na decreased by 37.37, 23.39, and 45.78% on days 1, 4 and 7, respectively (p < 0.05, Fig. 5A), while the soluble protein content decreased by 7.87% on day 4 then increased by 7.25 and 20.31% on days 1 and 7, respectively (p < 0.05, Fig. 5B). The MDA content increased by 8.74, 45.15, and 34.34%, respectively, (p < 0.05, Fig. 5C). Meanwhile, SOD activity increased by 48.91, 119.85, and 137.03%, POD activity increased by 45.71, 54.69, and 93.62%, and CAT activity increased by 28.44, 31.81, and 53.89%, respectively (p < 0.05, Fig. 5D, F & F). Plant height increased by 2.82%, boll number decreased by 48.15%, and the single boll weight decreased by 5.38% (p > 0.05, Fig. 5G, H & I).

Application of the plant growth regulators increased the protective enzyme activity, reduced the MDA content, and stabilized plant height and the single boll weight (Fig. 6). With time, the chlorophyll and soluble protein content increased then decreased (except under T7), while the MDA content gradually increased, SOD (except under T1) and POD activity decreased, and CAT activity gradually increased under T1 only (Fig. S6).

On day 4, the chlorophyll and soluble protein contents were highest under T2 at 1.84 and 4.39 mg/g, respectively (Fig. 6A and B), while the MDA content was significantly lower under T5 than T1 (Fig. 6C). CAT activity was highest under T3 at 1853.33 U·g^− 1 DW·min (Fig. 6F), while on day 1, SOD activity was highest under T2 at 808.00 U·g^− 1 DW·min (Fig. 6D) and POD activity was highest under T7 at 664.83 U·g^− 1 DW·min (Fig. 6E). Plant height was highest under T5 (Fig. 6G), the number of cotton bolls was highest under T1 (Fig. 6H), and the single boll weight was highest under T2 (Fig. 6I).

Most herbicides have an irreversible effect on crop growth, causing leaves to shrink, inhibiting plant height, and causing flowers and fruit to drop, all of which cause serious reductions in crop yield [27–28]. After exposure, crops tend to regulate their physiological metabolic functions in order to convert herbicides into metabolism [29]. However, not all herbicides can be metabolized. For example, MCPA-Na is not metabolized by cotton [2], and cotton plants therefore need to actively regulate their physiological metabolism in order to reduce damage. The regulatory mechanisms underlying protective enzyme responses to damage have been confirmed in a number of plants [30]. For example, 2,4-D was found to cause an increase in protective enzyme activity in wheat and rice [31–32], while MCPA causes an increase in protective enzyme activity in millet [33], and MCPA-Na induces an increase in bloom-forming cyanobacteria protective enzyme activity [34]. In this study, MCPA-Na exposure at different growth stages caused increases in the soluble protein content and protective enzyme activity, and decreases in the chlorophyll content. These findings suggest that cotton does not minimize MCPA-Na damage by enhancing photosynthesis, but rather by increasing basal metabolism and protective enzyme activity.

The growth period of plants determines their sensitivity to herbicides, as shown by the sensitivity of cotton, cucumber and watermelon to 2,4-D exposure [35–37]. In this study, resistance of cotton to MCPA-Na at different growth stages was also found to differ. For example, at the seedling stage, MDA began to accumulate on day 7 after exposure, while at the budding stage, accumulation began on day 4. Moreover, at the flowering and boll stages, the MDA content was lower than the control on days 1, 4 and 7 at MCPA-Na concentrations of 8.125 and 16.25 g/L MCPA-Na. Meanwhile, plant height and the single boll weight were less affected by MCPA-Na damage at the flowering and boll stages, but together with boll number were significantly affected at the seedling and budding stages. These findings suggest that resistance of cotton to MCPA-Na is stronger at the flowering and boll stages than at the seedling and budding stages. In other words, the vegetative growth phase is more sensitive to MCPA-Na toxicity.

The limited defense capacity of plants is unable to provide sustainable or high-level metabolic responses during exposure to herbicides that are slowly metabolized or even unable to be metabolized in plants [38–39]. Moreover, with increased exposure, plants are more prone to serious damage or even death [40–41]. When multiple reactive oxygen species cannot be eliminated by the antioxidant enzyme system, oxidative stress and lipidization of the cell membrane are induced, resulting in an accumulation of MDA in vivo [42–43]. In this study, increased exposure to MCPA-Na, notably on day 7, caused an increase in MDA accumulation, which was not eliminated by normal metabolism. This finding suggests that the defense responses of cotton are unable to cope with prolonged MCPA-Na damage, highlighting the need for additional measures to enhance the defense ability and reduce damage.

Plant growth regulators are often used to alleviate herbicide damage [44]. For example, brassinosteroids were found to protect maize from amphetamine damage [17], while gibberellin can alleviate S-metolachlor damage in rice seedlings [19]. In general, plant growth regulators help plants increase their metabolic levels, reducing herbicide damage [45–46]. In this study, combined application of plant growth regulators improved physiological metabolism in cotton exposed to MCPA-Na, increasing the chlorophyll content and reducing the MDA content. From a physiological point of view, the application of brassinosteroids + seaweed fertilizer (T3) alleviated MCPA-Na damage at the seedling and budding stages, while at the flowering and boll stages, the application of gibberellin + seaweed fertilizer (T2) is recommended.

Under a fixed planting density, cotton yield is determined by the number of bolls and the single boll weight [47]. Herbicide damage tends to reduce both traits, thereby reducing yield [48–50]. A recent study also found that cotton yield is differentially affected by different herbicides at different growth stages [35]. For example, 2,4-D was found to have differential effects on the single boll weight and boll number at different growth stages [35]. In this study, MCPA-Na affected cotton yield by reducing the boll number and single boll weight at the seedling and budding stages, and by reducing the boll number at the flowering and boll stages. Compared with the seedling and budding stages, the effect on yield is relatively small at the flowering and boll stages that exposure by MCPA-Na. Meanwhile, the application of plant growth regulators caused an increase in the single boll weight and boll number following MCPA-Na exposure

Overall, in terms of yield, the findings of this study suggest that cotton exposed to MCPA-Na at the seedling stage should be treated with phthalanilic acid + seaweed fertilizer, while plants exposed at the budding stage should be treated with brassinosteroids + seaweed fertilizer, and those exposed at the flowering and boll stages should be treated with gibberellin + seaweed. However, despite these findings, the effect of the plant growth regulators on cotton damaged at the flowering and boll stages was less than satisfactory, causing branches and leaves lush and boll opening difficulties at later stages. Therefore, for cotton exposed at these later stages, we suggest a low dosage of plant growth regulators to avoid shoot elongation and reduce the impact on yield.

Overall, this study clarified the physiological response of cotton plants to MCPA-Na exposure at different growth stages, as well as the differing effects on plant height and subsequent yield. Moreover, the mitigating effects of different combinations of plant growth regulators were also confirmed at different growth stages. Following MCPA-Na exposure, the soluble protein content and protective enzymes activity played an important role in the defense response of cotton. The single boll weight and boll number decreased significantly at the seedling and budding stages, while only the boll number decreased significantly at the flowering and boll stages, suggesting that the vegetative growth stage is more sensitive to MCPA-Na damage. Meanwhile, the application of plant growth regulators reduced the content of MDA, helping reduce MCPA-Na damage, and they also had a positive effect on the cotton yield traits. These findings suggest that in production practice, plant growth regulators could be reasonably applied to alleviate MCPA-Na damage in the field; however, more importantly, the drift of herbicides should be avoided, and the occurrence of pesticide accidents should be fundamentally reduced.

2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid-Na: MPCA-Na

POD: Peroxidase

CAT: Catalase

SOD: Superoxide dismutase

MDA: Malondialdehyde

Data Availability Statement

The raw data of the presented results of this study are available on request to the corresponding author.

Funding

This study formed part of the project entitled, “Evaluation of the stress and economic loss for cotton in mechanically harvested cotton field” and was supported by Xinjiang Corps Major Science and Technology Project (Grant no. 2018AA06-02).

Acknowledgements

We thank Pro. Hong Shen for help and suggestions in the study, and thank anonymous reviewers and the editors for their valuable comments and suggestions on the manuscript.

Author information

Affiliations

Laboratory of Toxicology and Biological Control of Agriculture Pest, College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China

Quan-Cheng Zhang, Xiao-Xia Deng, Jun-Gang Wang

Author Contributions

Quan-Cheng Zhang wrote the manuscript; Jun-Gang Wang designed the study; Jing Wang conducted the experiments; Quan-Cheng Zhang and Jing Wang analyzed the date. All authors read, contributed to revisions, and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Plants used in the study are cultivars, not wild. The variety was provided by Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and approved by Ministry of Agriculture of China. Plant collected were consistent with international norms and legislation. All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and legislation.

Consent for publication

Not applicable

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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No competing interests reported.

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You are reading this latest preprint version

Use of plant growth regulators to reduce 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid-Na (MPCA-Na) damage in cotton

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Version 1

Abstract

Figures

Introduction

Materials And Methods

Experimental Field and Plants

Experimental field management

MPCA-Na and plant growth regulators

MCPA-Na application

Application of plant growth regulators following MCPA-Na exposure

Analysis of chlorophyll, soluble protein, MDA and protective enzyme activity in the cotton leaves

Analysis of plant height, boll number and the single boll weight

Statistical analysis

Results

Effects of MCPA-Na exposure and application of plant growth regulators at the seedling stage

Effects of MCPA-Na exposure and application of plant growth regulators at the budding stage

Discussion

Conclusions

Abbreviations

Declarations

References

Additional Declarations

Supplementary Files

Status:

Version 1