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Review

Early Maturity Mechanism and High-Yielding Cultivation of Short-Season Cotton in China

by
Jie Qi
1,2,
Keyun Feng
1,
Yanjun Zhang
2,* and
Hezhong Dong
2,*
1
Crop Research Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730070, China
2
Institute of Industrial Crops, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2770; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112770
Submission received: 17 October 2023 / Revised: 31 October 2023 / Accepted: 3 November 2023 / Published: 6 November 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Agriculture—Sustainable Plant Production)
Browse Figure
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Abstract

:
Short-season cotton is a type of cotton variety characterized by its abbreviated cycle, rapid development, and concentrated flowering and boll setting. Compared with full-season cotton, short-season cotton facilitates an easier attainment of desirable maturation even when sown relatively late. This advantage of late sowing and early maturation eliminates the necessity for plastic film mulching, thereby creating opportunities for diversified double cropping, such as cotton–wheat, cotton–garlic, cotton–rape, and cotton–triticale systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the morphological, physiological, and molecular biological mechanisms underlying early maturity in short-season cotton. Furthermore, the significance and application of short-season cotton is discussed in relation to optimizing planting patterns and methods, promoting its cultivation in saline fields, developing machine-harvested cotton, and encouraging plastic mulch-free cotton planting. Based on these analyses and discussions, the paper proposes future strategies aimed at enhancing the breeding and cultivation of short-season cotton. These findings serve as valuable references for global breeding and cultivation research, and application of short-season cotton in the future.

1. Introduction

Short-season cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an ecotype that is characterized by a relatively compact growth form, concentrated flowering and boll setting, and a short growth and development period, leading to early maturity upon late sowing [1,2]. Although China began breeding early maturing cotton as early as the mid-19th century, the initial short-season cotton varieties developed in the early stages had shortcomings such as low lint percentage and poor fiber quality [3]. However, recent advances in breeding techniques have resulted in significant improvements in lint percentage and fiber quality of newly developed short-season cotton varieties, while retaining their early maturity, high yield, and stress resistance [4]. Noteworthy examples of such varieties are CCRI 50, CCRI 67, Xinluzao 42, and Lumian 532, which exhibit a lint percentage exceeding 38%, fiber length surpassing 28 mm, breaking specific strength over 28 cN/tex, and micronaire value below 4.8. These fiber quality parameters meet the requirements of cotton production and textile industry.
Moreover, the adoption of short-season cotton has offered new alternatives for regions with potential multi-cropping in China. Particularly, the direct sowing of short-season cotton after garlic (Allium sativum L.) in the southwestern cotton region of Shandong [5] and sowing of short season-cotton after rape (Brassica campestris L.) or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the cotton region of the Yangtze River Basin [6] have emerged as predominant cultivation models. These approaches not only enhance land use efficiency and align with agricultural structural adjustments [7], but also contribute to the reduction in plastic film usage, curbing surface pollution in farmland, and fostering environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices. This review presents insights into the characteristics of short-season cotton varieties, mechanism behind early maturity, current cultivation and utilization status, and future development prospects of this crop. The primary objective is to offer guidance and references for the genetic breeding and cultivation of short-season cotton.

2. Characteristics of Short-Season Cotton

Short-season cotton, a distinctive variety, exhibits a growth period lasting 100–115 days, which is notably shorter 20–30 days than full-season cotton types [1,8,9,10].
The cultivation characteristics of short-season cotton mainly manifest in various planting modes. For instance, in the Huang-Huai-Hai cotton region, cotton-wheat intercropping is utilized, whereas the double-season planting mode of wheat (rape) transplanting or direct seeding is adopted in the cotton region of the Yangtze River Basin. In the northwest inland cotton region, the one-season cotton planting mode is favored. Early-maturing cotton offers flexibility in sowing time, with the Huang-huai-Hai cotton area typically concentrated between 15 May and 5 June. Emphasis is placed on dense planting and dwarfing cultivation, involving high density (75,000–120,000 plants ha−1), early topping (9–11 fruit branches left per plant before and after 20 July), and appropriate chemical regulation to control plant height at 75–95 cm. This approach shapes a rational plant structure and regulates per plant production, maximizing population advantages and achieving high yield and efficiency [11].
According to Yu et al. [12] early maturity in cotton harnesses local light and heat resources optimally, thereby yielding enhanced productivity and economic benefits within specific climatic cultivation conditions. Consequently, the morphological attributes of early-maturing cotton or short-season cotton, can be summarized as follows: Firstly, the initial fruit branch on the main stem is positioned lower and 4–6 or lower, thereby promoting early development. Secondly, the internode between the main stem and fruit branch is short, rendering the plant compact with a low height, and a minimal angle between the main stem and fruiting branch, thus efficiently utilizing light energy, reducing nutrients consumption, and facilitating the transportation of photosynthetic products to reproductive organs. Thirdly, an abundance of moderate-sized bolls is present in the middle and lower parts of a plant, featuring a short maturation period, early and concentrated boll opening, and easy dehydration post-maturity [4,12].
The northwest inland cotton-growing region offers favorable conditions for high-density cultivation of short-season cotton due to its limited frost-free period, ample light resources, and well-established cotton mechanization, aimed by water-saving irrigation and continuous promotion of new varieties. In the northern Xinjiang region of this cotton-growing area, short-season cotton displays a growth period of 100–112 days, with a plant height ranging from 75 to 85 cm and the first fruiting branch positioned more than 15 cm above the node [13,14]. These environment factors and cultivation practices create an advantageous environment for production short-season cotton in northern Xinjing.

3. The Early-Maturity Mechanism of Short-Season Cotton

Early maturity is the most significant feature of short-season cotton, which has contributed to its widespread adoption in multiple cropping systems and regions with super early-maturity conditions. The research and utilization of short-season cotton commenced with an exploration of its early-maturity mechanism. In recent times, advancements in molecular biology technology have enabled partial disclosure of the molecular mechanism responsible for early maturity in short-season cotton. Building upon current research, the early-maturity mechanism in short-season cotton primarily manifests in the following aspects.

3.1. Characteristics of Photosynthesis and Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism in Short-Season Cotton

The intensity of photosynthesis and carbon and nitrogen metabolism plays a pivotal role in both the accumulation of cotton plant biomass and the transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth [15]. Research by Deng et al. [16] indicates that the short-season cotton variety CCRI 10 exhibits higher chlorophyll content than the medium-mature cotton variety, thereby enhancing its photosynthesis intensity. This observation might be attributed to the thicker leaves and longer palisade tissue cells in CCRI 10. Furthermore, for summer-sown short-season cotton, the photosynthetic peak occurs at the initial flowering stage, resulting in an advancement of both the production and accumulation of photosynthetic products. Consequently, this advancement serves as a foundational element in facilitating early square, flowering and boll setting. In addition, Shen et al. [17] argued that the early-maturing CCRI 10 exhibits a shorter transport period of photosynthetic products to reproductive organs than the later-maturity CCRI 16 and CCRI 36. In their investigation using 14C isotope tracer technology, Guo et al. [18] analyzed the distribution of carbon assimilation products among cotton varieties with different maturities. The findings revealed that the proportion of photosynthate transport in short-season cotton varieties during the seedling stage, with a predominant allocation to the terminal bud and a smaller allocation to the root, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in medium-maturity varieties. During peak squaring, the proportion of carbon assimilates transported from short-season cotton varieties to terminal buds was significantly higher than that of medium-maturity varieties, which contributes to early maturity. Following squaring, the carbohydrate (soluble sugar and starch) allocated to the reproductive organs in short-season cotton was significantly higher than that in medium-maturity cotton, benefiting the fiber development of short-season cotton [16]. Overall, the earlier appearance of the photosynthesis peak and the increased photoassimilate partitioning to the reproductive organs are essential mechanisms driving the early maturity of short-season cotton.
Nitrogen metabolism plays a crucial role in both the growth of cotton plants and the development of fibers. Prior to flowering, early-maturing cotton primarily directs its resources towards trophosome expansion, involving root development, stem elongation, and leaf growth, subsequently transitioning to squares. During this period, nitrogen absorption and utilization are relatively low but accelerate after square formation. The peak of nitrogen absorption and utilization occurs during the flowering and boll-setting stage. Notably, early-maturing varieties exhibits an earlier peak in nitrogen absorption compared with mid-maturing varieties [19]. When short-season cotton is sown in spring, its leaves consistently maintain higher levels of non-protein nitrogen throughout various growth stages, particularly during the flowering stage, compared to medium-maturity cotton. For instance, the non-protein nitrogen content in short-season cotton CCRI 10 is 47.0% higher than that of medium-maturity cotton CCRI 31, indicating the significance of non-protein nitrogen as a determinant of material accumulation [16]. Conversely, when short-season cotton is sown in summer, the total nitrogen content in the leaves remains consistent with that in spring, but the protein nitrogen content increases significantly. The content of 12, 10, and 15 amino acids in CCRI 10 is higher than those in CCRI 31 during the squaring, flowering and boll-setting stage, respectively. Notably, aspartic acid experiences the most significant increase, and the higher amino acid content plays a crucial role in ammonia transport and protein synthesis, thereby ensuring vigorous nitrogen metabolism, rapid protein transformation, and accelerated organic development. Yu et al. [12] highlight that early-maturing varieties exhibits higher catalase and sulfhydryl compounds activities than late-maturing varieties. Additionally, the protein and amino acids levels in early-maturing cotton varieties are significantly higher than those in medium-maturing cotton throughout the growth period, providing a material foundation for its high yield within a limited time.
The early peak of nitrogen absorption rate and the vigorous nitrogen metabolism constitute another important mechanism for the early maturity of short-season cotton. During peak squaring, the buds of short-season cotton display significantly higher carbohydrate allocation (soluble sugar and starch) to reproductive organs compared to medium-maturity varieties, facilitating early maturity. Furthermore, after squaring, short-season cotton allocates a significantly higher number of photosynthetic products to reproductive organs than medium-maturity cotton, which contributes significantly to fiber development in short-season cotton [16]. These observations indicate that the early appearance of the photosynthesis peak and the preferential distribution of photosynthetic products to reproductive organs are essential mechanisms driving the early maturity of short-season cotton.

3.2. Flower Bud Differentiation and Hormone Regulation Characteristics of Short-Season Cotton

Cotton exhibits an indeterminate growth habit encompassing both vegetative growth, such as rooting, leafing, and branching, and reproductive growth, including budding, flowering, and boll setting. It is commonly acknowledged that cotton’s reproductive growth commences with the process known as “squaring”; however, it should be noted that cotton flower buds have already undergone differentiation before this stage, making it the true initiation of cotton’s reproductive growth. This differentiation occurs after complex physiological, biochemical, and morphological changes in the cotton seedling under suitable environmental conditions, such as light and temperature. The development of cotton flower bud serves as the foundation for the subsequent formation of cotton bolls and fiber yield. The timing and number of flower bud differentiations significantly influence boll suitability, as well as the overall yield, making flower bud differentiation vital to cotton yield and quality [20]. Ren et al. [20] conducted research on early and mid-maturing cotton cultivar, “CCRI 16” and “CCRI 12”, respectively. They found that morphological differentiation of flower buds, transitioning from vegetative to reproductive growth, occurred when the second true leaf unfolded for the early-maturing cultivar and when the fourth true leaf expanded for the mid-maturing cultivar. Chen [21] also observed that early-maturing cotton varieties exhibited earlier flower bud differentiation compared to medium- and late-maturing varieties. The flower bud differentiation is influenced not only by external factors but also by intricate internal factors. Nutrients serve as the basis for flower bud formation, while plant hormones play a crucial role in regulating this process [22].
The flower bud differentiation in upland cotton is under the comprehensive regulation of multiple hormones [22,23]. The endogenous hormone content and dynamic balance significantly impact the bud differentiation in upland cotton. Higher concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3), cytokinin (CTKs), and abscisic acid (ABA), as well as lower concentrations of indoleacetic acid (IAA), are conducive to the flower bud differentiation in upland cotton. Additionally, higher levels of CTK/IAA, ABA/IAA, and GA3/IAA, along with lower levels of ZR/GA3 and ABA/GA3, promote flower bud differentiation in upland cotton [20,23,24,25]. Moreover, the regulation mechanism of hormones on flower bud differentiation varies across different parts of the plant. For instance, low levels of IAA promote flower bud differentiation in cotton stem tips, whereas high levels promote differentiation in main stem leaves [24]. Shen et al. [17] observed that the contents of IAA and Zeatin riboside (ZR) in the functional leaves of three short-season cotton varieties peak during the transition vegetative to reproductive growth, from squaring to the flowering stage.
Ren et al. [20] demonstrated that high levels of IAA in stem tips have an inhibitory effect on flower bud differentiation in cotton. In both early-maturing and medium-maturing cotton varieties, the IAA content decreases significantly at the onset of flower bud differentiation, supporting the notion that the reduced IAA content in stem tips benefits cotton flower bud differentiation. Cytokinin’s high levels enhance nutrient transport to the reproductive organs while reducing distribution to the vegetative organs, thereby promoting flower bud differentiation [26]. In conclusion, the regulation of endogenous hormones in different parts of the cotton plant plays a crucial role in promoting early differentiation and flower bud formation, contributing to the early maturity of short-season cotton.

3.3. Molecular Mechanism of Early Maturity in Short-Season Cotton

The early maturity of cotton is a complex trait controlled by multiple genes, and it is characterized by metabolic changes and material transformation rate [4,27]. Flowering time, which is closely associated with early maturity, is regulated by various pathways such as the autonomous pathway, photoperiodic pathway, vernalization pathway, GA pathway, temperature pathway, and age pathway. Therefore, studying the function of key genes involved in the flowering pathway in cotton is highly significant [28,29,30]. In Arabidopsis thaliana L., the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene plays a crucial role in flowering. It acts as a transcription factor, integrating signals from internal genetic information and external environmental cues. The FT gene triggers a flowering transition by transmitting signals downstream from the apical meristem to promote the expression of flowering genes, ultimately leading to flower bud differentiation and flowering [31,32]. The gene GhFLP1, associated with cotton flowering time, was isolated using genomic DNA and cDNA from the leaves of CCRI 36. Its expression is primarily detected in flower buds, suggesting a specific role in the regulation of cotton flowering time [33]. Moreover, the expression level of GhFLP1 in early-maturing varieties (CCRI 36, CCRI 74) was significantly higher than medium-maturing varieties (CCRI 60, SCRC 28), implying a potential link between the gene and the early maturity of cotton [34].
Previous studies have indicated the influence of gibberellin (GA) and salicylic acid (SA) on plant flowering [34,35,36,37,38]. Zhang et al. [33] observed that the expression of GhFLP1 was induced by exogenous GA and SA in cotton seedlings. In Arabidopsis thaliana, functional verification of the gene through Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation resulted in reduced rosette leaf number and earlier flowering. An analysis of endogenous flowering gene expression in transgenic Arabidopsis revealed up-regulation of certain flowering-promoting genes (e.g., AtFT, AtAP1, AtLFY, AtSOC1) and down-regulation of the flowering-inhibiting gene AtFLC [39,40]. These findings suggest that GhFLP1 potentially regulates flowering time in upland cotton, offering a basis for the development of new transgenic early-maturing cotton varieties.
Wang et al. [41] examined the expression patterns of the GhFLP5 gene in different cotton varieties and observed that it was primarily expressed in leaves. The peak expression of GhFLP5 in the early-maturing variety CCRI50 occurred earlier than in the mid-maturing variety SCRC 28, aligning with previous studies on cotton flower bud differentiation. This suggests a potential role of GhFLP5 in flower primordia development. The expression of GhFLP5 increased after stimulation with SA and ABA, while the application of Jasmonic acid (JA) suppressed its expression. Heterologous expression of GhFLP5 in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in an early flowering phenotype, indicating its involvement in regulating flowering through the IAA and GA pathways [42].
In a genome-wide association study (GWAS), Ma et al. [42] found that the expression of the GhCIP1 gene was significantly higher in early flowering varieties (6–8 true leaves) during the flowering decision stage, than that in late flowering varieties. Further verification using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) demonstrated that the silencing of GhCIP1 in cotton plants led to the absence of fruit branches and flower buds, indicating its major role in regulating cotton flowering time. Additionally, the GhUCE gene in early flowering cotton was found to be involved in the regulation of cotton fiber initiation and development. Jia et al. [43] observed significantly higher expression levels of the candidate gene EMF2, related to early maturity, in the early-maturing variety CCRI 74 compared to the late-maturing variety Bomian1.
Utilizing molecular markers closely associated with quantitative trait locus (QTL) for assisted selection enables the identification of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) or QTL alleles linked to prematurity, thus reducing breeding time and enhancing breeding efficiency [44]. Fan et al. [45,46] generated an F2 mapping population comprising 207 individual plants derived from the parental lines CCRI 36 and TM-1. They detected 12 QTLs associated with early-maturity traits in short-season cotton. Two of these QTLs were specifically related to flowering period and pre-frost flowering rate, factors that contribute to early maturity. These QTLs accounted for 38.45% and 39.73% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. Ai [47] conducted crosses between upland cotton varieties Xinluzao 8 and Xinluzao 10 with upland cotton TM-1 to establish F2 and F2:3 family populations.
Two genetic maps of early-maturing upland cotton varieties were constructed using simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers and composite interval mapping (CIM), and a total of 61 significant QTLs were detected. Yang [48] constructed an F2:9 recombinant inbred population using the short-season cotton variety CCRI 36 and the island cotton introgressive line material G2005 with a background of upland cotton as parents, and detected a total of 43 QTLs related to early maturity. QTL mapping of cotton early maturity based on high-density genetic maps revealed a total of 247 QTLs related to early-maturity traits (squaring, flowering, whole growth stage, plant height, fruit branch beginning node, fruit branch beginning node height), and 55 QTL overlap regions were found on 22 chromosomes, accounting for more than 60% of the total QTLs [49]. Li et al. [49] detected 47 early-maturity-related QTLs on 26 chromosomes, with a phenotypic variation explained (PVE) of 2.61% to 32.57% for each QTL. They predicted and annotated 112 genes within the PVE interval and found that the expression levels of Gh-D03G0885 and Gh-D03G0922 candidate genes in early-maturity variety CCRI 213 were significantly higher than those in mid-maturity variety SCRC 28, suggesting that the Gh-D03G0885 and Gh-D03G0922 genes may play a role in controlling cotton flowering.
Su et al. [50] developed a multitude of SNP markers through genome sequencing and identified 13 associations between 8 SNP loci and 5 early-maturing traits. They observed a significant increase in the expression level of the CotAD-01947 gene during flowering in early-maturing varieties (CCRI 50 and CCRI 74) compared to mid-maturing varieties (SCRC 28 and CCRI 41). In another study by Wang et al. [51], the regulatory mechanism of miRNA in flower bud differentiation of upland cotton was investigated. It was discovered that miRNA plays a role in inducing flower bud differentiation by regulating the expression of target genes. Specifically, miR164 and miR166 facilitate shoot tip meristem development and shoot differentiation in upland cotton by targeting NAC and HD-Zip III transcription factors, respectively. The regulation of gibberellin is governed by the SPL transcription factor of the miR156 target gene. Ghrmirn16 targets the F-box protein and contributes to the ubiquitin-mediated degradation pathway, leading to a decrease in gibberellin content and an increase in IAA content. Another miRNA, GhrmiRn2, indirectly regulates sugar signals by targeting β-Hexosaminidase, thereby providing energy for flower bud differentiation and promoting the expression of genes associated with ABA synthesis and signal transduction.

4. Cultivation of Short-Season Cotton in China

Short-season cotton in China primarily grows in three traditional ecological areas: the northern super early-maturing ecological area, the Yellow River basin ecological area, and the Yangtze River basin ecological area. The northern super early-maturing ecological area is mainly located in Northern Xinjiang and the Hexi Corridor, where short-season cotton is cultivated as full-season cotton. In the Yellow River valley, which spans the Huang-Huai-Hai cotton region, double cropping is the primary planting method, including relay intercropping of cotton–wheat or cotton–garlic and direct seeding after wheat or garlic harvest. The ecological area of the Yangtze River basin consists mainly of two types of planting: direct seeding after garlic harvest and transplanting after wheat harvest (Figure 1). In recent years, there has been a significant expansion in the cultivation and utilization of short-season cotton, driven by the need to restructure the planting industry and promote environmentally friendly production practices. This expansion includes the adoption of techniques such as non-plastic mulching cotton and machine-picked cotton varieties [52].

4.1. Direct Seeding of Short-Season Cotton following Preceding Crop Harvest

Implementing direct seeding of short-season cotton following garlic (wheat or rape) harvest is a prevalent cultivation method in cotton-growing regions along the Yellow River and the Yangtze River Basin. However, this approach requires significant material and labor inputs, leading to increased costs and limited mechanization. With rising labor costs in China’s progressing economy and society, the traditional intercropping method of garlic (wheat, rape) and cotton has become incompatible with modern agricultural production. Therefore, reforming conventional cotton planting techniques and adopting a lighter and more streamlined cotton production process are crucial technical solutions to address current challenges in the cotton industry. Transitioning from interplanting full-season cotton in garlic (wheat) fields to direct seeding of short-season cotton after garlic (wheat) harvest provides a viable perspective for achieving this goal. This transition involves shifting from sparse planting to dense dwarfing, from fine pruning to no pruning, from multiple fertilization rounds to one-time fertilization, and from multiple harvesting episodes to centralized boll formation and single harvest [53,54].
A light and simplified cultivation technique for direct seeding of short-season cotton after garlic has been developed in recent years. This technique involves high-density planting to achieve concentrated boll formation. Its adoption has significantly improved the mechanization level of double cropping in Southwest Shandong Province [54]. It entails selecting short-season cotton varieties with growth periods of no more than 110 days, compact plant structures, and strong boll-setting capabilities. The sowing process is performed mechanically before the end of May, without thinning the seedlings, thus maintaining a plant density of 90,000–120,000 plants per hectare. Consequently, in late July, topping of the plants is needed, eliminating the need to remove vegetative branches. Plant height is controlled between 80 and 90 cm using a combination of chemical control and fertilization. Defoliation is conducted in late September to facilitate centralized boll opening and enable a one-time picking process [55].
In certain regions within the Yangtze River Basin and Yellow River Basin, the adoption of light simplification and mechanized cotton planting has been increasing. This trend has led to research and demonstrations of mechanical direct seeding techniques after the harvest of rape and wheat. Short-season cotton’s brief growth period, concentrated boll formation, and ease of management facilitate efficient soil utilization and environmentally friendly production [56].

4.2. Cultivating Short-Season Cotton without Plastic Mulching

The primary cotton-producing region in northwest China faces significant challenges during the sowing period, including low soil temperature, a short frost-free period, and water scarcity. Plastic film mulching has effectively addressed these issues by increasing soil temperature, conserving water, and maintaining moisture. However, its use has resulted in numerous problems in agriculture and the ecological environment. These problems include soil structure damage, reduced cultivated land quality, hindered cotton seedling emergence, and compromised cotton fiber quality [52,57,58,59]. To address these challenges, Yu [12,52] introduced the concept of “short-season cotton with non-mulching cultivation” and conducted a six-year demonstration using the early-maturing cotton variety “Zhongmian 619” in Shaya County, Xinjiang. Through late sowing, increased planting density, shallow burial, and drip irrigation, successful non-mulching cultivation was achieved. Preliminary results demonstrate a seed cotton production of 4800–5250 kg ha−1, eliminating film residue pollution and showcasing promising prospects for further development [52].
China has a considerable amount of saline soil, both inland and coastal. Exploiting cotton’s robust salt tolerance by cultivating it in saline soil proves to be a promising approach to enhance cotton production stability [56]. Previous studies have shown the effectiveness of furrow border plastic film mulching for full-season cotton in severe coastal saline alkali soil and flat plastic film mulching for short-season cotton in mild saline alkali soil, optimizing land utilization and achieving positive economic outcomes [60,61]. However, the pollution caused by residual film and the variations in heat and rainfall conditions between the Yellow River Basin and Northwest inland cotton regions make non-mulched short-season cotton more conducive in the former. Therefore, late sowing of non-mulched short-season cotton in mildly saline soil or low-yield cotton fields presents a viable solution to residual film pollution.
In a five-year study by Qi et al. [62,63], it was demonstrated that non-mulched short-season cotton yielded comparable results to mulched short-season cotton in terms of seed cotton yields, boll density, average boll weight, lint percentage, and fiber quality parameters such as fiber length, strength, micronaire value, elongation rate, and uniformity. Furthermore, the earliness of non-mulched short-season cotton, which was achieved through early flower bud differentiation, rapid flowering and boll setting, and concentrated boll opening, was desirable and comparable to that of mulched short-season cotton. An important advantage of cultivating short-season cotton without mulching is the avoidance of plastic residual pollution, resulting in cost savings and environmental benefits. Therefore, this approach proves to be more economical and efficient. Considering the implications for sustainable cotton production in medium- and low-yield fields of the Yellow River Basin cotton region, the cultivation of short-season cotton without mulching emerges as a crucial option.

4.3. Double Cropping of Short-Season Cotton and Triticale

In recent years, there has been a shift in cotton cultivation towards the northwest inland region, where it now accounts for over 83% of the country’s cotton planting area. Conversely, the cotton planting area in the Yangtze River and Yellow River valleys has been in decline. The traditional cotton cultivation practices in these valleys are labor-intensive, relying on intensive cultivation to achieve high yields, resulting in high management costs and significant labor input. However, due to rapid economic development and urbanization, the rural labor force in China has experienced a sharp decline. Consequently, the traditional cotton planting methods are no longer suitable for the current environment in the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys. Therefore, it is crucial to reform and simplify the cotton cultivation system in these regions [64].
In the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys, there have been a variety of cotton planting systems for a long time, including both one cropping and two cropping systems. Currently, it is highly significant to develop flexible and diverse cotton planting models in order to stabilize the overall cotton planting area, increase yield and efficiency per unit area, and revitalize the cotton industry in these regions. However, the limited thermal resources in the cotton region of the Yellow River Basin pose a major obstacle to the development of double-cropping crops. In order to address this limitation, relay interplanting or intercropping methods are often employed to compensate for the lack of heat, thereby enhancing the intercropping index and economic benefits. Nevertheless, it should be noted that relay interplanting or intercropping requires high labor inputs and lacks mechanization convenience [65,66,67].
Utilizing the significant advantages of short-season cotton such as its short growth period, concentrated flowering and boll setting, as well as the favorable characteristics of forage crops like triticale and oats including high harvest elasticity and nutritional value, the implementation of a double-cropping system for short-season cotton and forage crops in the Yellow River Basin cotton region proves to be an effective approach to achieve enhanced productivity efficiency. Cui et al. [68] have demonstrated this double-cropping mode and produced promising results. Other researchers, including Mao [69], Wang et al. [70], Yao et al. [71], and Zheng et al. [72], have also corroborated the productivity and benefits associated with the double cropping of short-season cotton and forage crops in the Yellow River Basin. This model has been instrumental in the development of high-quality cotton production in the region.

4.4. Replanting Short-Season Cotton after Calamities

The prolonged growth period of cotton makes it vulnerable to hail disasters in regions with unpredictable cold and hot airflows. Effective measures must be implemented to minimize or eliminate losses resulting from these calamities [73]. Cotton plants exhibit strong compensatory effects on both biological and economic yield due to their indeterminate growth habit following physical damage, such as hailstorms during the squaring stage [74]. Mild to moderate damage in cotton fields requires immediate and enhanced field management practices to mitigate yield reduction. Conversely, severely affected fields necessitate prompt replanting. The choice of replanting strategy should be context-specific. In Shandong Province, China, the appropriate action depends on the timing of the disaster. If the disaster occurs before 5 May, it is advisable to consider planting medium- and early-maturity cotton varieties. If the disaster occurs before 5 June, replanting using short-season cotton varieties becomes a viable option. However, after 5 June, cultivating crops with shorter growth cycles, such as mung beans and edible beans, becomes the only feasible approach.

5. Prospects of Short-Season Cotton in China

China’s main cotton-producing areas exhibit complexity and diversity in terms of planting systems, modes, and varieties due to national conditions such as a large population, limited land, and significant ecological and production variations among these regions. As the development of light and simplified cotton and mechanized production advances, the importance of short-season cotton is expected to grow. In cotton regions with abundant resources like water, fertilizer, light, and heat, the adoption of mechanical direct seeding of short-season cotton after stubble can promote light and simplified cotton cultivation in multi-cropping and efficient cotton fields. In regions with limited light and heat resources, high salinity, or poor soil fertility, short-season cotton can be cultivated once a year without plastic film planting. By increasing density and fully utilizing the advantages of smaller individual plants and larger groups, the cultivation can bring about diversification through double cropping with forage crops like triticale and oats annually. This approach reduces pesticide and labor input, minimizes plastic film usage, and ensures high and stable yields, making it a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and efficient method for cotton production. In future research and application of short-season cotton, it is important to focus on the following aspects:
Investigating the early-maturing mechanism of short-season cotton: Collaborating across multiple disciplines and employing techniques such as gene editing in physiology and molecular biology, researchers can unveil the mechanism of early maturity in short-season cotton from the perspective of flower bud differentiation. This will provide valuable theoretical support for molecular breeding of short-season cotton.
Developing new short-season cotton varieties: Short-season cotton also has its own drawbacks, such as lower yield potential than full-season cotton, and some short-season cotton varieties have lower fiber quality than full-season cotton. By utilizing a combination of molecular breeding technology and conventional breeding methods, researchers can create short-season cotton varieties with characteristics such as extra early maturity, salt alkali tolerance, low temperature tolerance, high yield potential, and excellent fiber quality. These new varieties will serve as an essential guarantee for achieving high yield and superior cotton quality.
In-depth study of mechanized production technology for short-season cotton without mulching: Expanding the research on agronomic technology for diversified planting of short-season cotton without mulching in suitable cotton regions is crucial. The focus should be on enhancing trial production and developing supporting machinery for sowing, plant protection, and harvesting. This, in turn, will facilitate the integration of agricultural machinery and agronomy to establish a diversified planting technology system for short- season cotton. The promotion of this technology can be facilitated through demonstrations, technical training, media publicity, and other means, enabling the widespread adoption of light, cost-effective, green, and efficient cotton production.
In conclusion, short-season cotton offers numerous advantages, including its rapid growth cycle, early maturation, and potential for diversified double-cropping systems. Moreover, mechanical sowing is achieved via adoption of short-season cotton. In addition, due to high plant density and good earliness, short-season cotton is also conducive to mechanic cotton picking. Therefore, the use of short-season cotton has promoted the mechanization of cotton production in China. This paper highlights the morphological, physiological, and molecular mechanisms underlying its early maturity, making it a promising option for optimizing planting patterns and cultivation in different environments. As cotton production becomes more mechanized and simplified, short-season cotton is expected to play a crucial role. Further research is recommended to explore its early-maturation mechanisms, develop new varieties, and advance comprehensive mechanized production technology without mulching. These efforts will ultimately promote cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and efficient cotton production. These findings serve as valuable references for global breeding and cultivation research, and the application of short-season cotton in the future.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization: H.D. and Y.Z.; Writing—Original Draft: J.Q.; Writing—Review and Editing: H.D., K.F. and Y.Z.; Visualization: J.Q., K.F., H.D. and Y.Z.; Funding Acquisition: J.Q. and K.F. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Doctoral Foundation of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2023GAAS45), Modern Biological Breeding of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2022GAAS04), China Agricultural Research System (CARS-15–15), Dong Hezhong Studio for Popularization of Science and Technology in Salt Tolerant Industrial Crops (202228297), and Tianchi Talent Program.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Agronomy 13 02770 g001
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of cultivation models for short-season cotton in different ecological regions.
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of cultivation models for short-season cotton in different ecological regions.
Agronomy 13 02770 g001
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Qi, J.; Feng, K.; Zhang, Y.; Dong, H. Early Maturity Mechanism and High-Yielding Cultivation of Short-Season Cotton in China. Agronomy 2023, 13, 2770. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112770

AMA Style

Qi J, Feng K, Zhang Y, Dong H. Early Maturity Mechanism and High-Yielding Cultivation of Short-Season Cotton in China. Agronomy. 2023; 13(11):2770. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112770

Chicago/Turabian Style

Qi, Jie, Keyun Feng, Yanjun Zhang, and Hezhong Dong. 2023. "Early Maturity Mechanism and High-Yielding Cultivation of Short-Season Cotton in China" Agronomy 13, no. 11: 2770. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112770

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