Early-stage identification of heat-tolerant cotton genotypes under simulated episodic heat stress in controlled conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Escalating global temperatures pose an ongoing threat to cotton production by disrupting essential morphological, physiological, and metabolic processes during early plant development. These early stages are critical for crop establishment, yet the genetic basis of heat tolerance at this phase remains insufficiently characterized. Therefore, advancing our understanding of early-stage responses is essential for the development of heat-tolerant genotypes.

Methods

A total of 79 cotton genotypes were assessed under controlled conditions and two elevated temperature treatments, HST-1 (45 °C) and HST-2 (48 °C), with emphasis on their morphological and physiological responses to heat stress under glasshouse conditions. Box plot was used to visualise trait distributions.

SUBMITTER: Ijaz A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12406437 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature