Source: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
IMPROVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORS OF VISUALLY MECHANICAL DAMAGED SEED IMPACTING COTTON SEED QUALITY THAT CAN LEAD TO IMPROVED VALUE AND PROFITABILITY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1030515
Grant No.
2023-67013-39794
Cumulative Award Amt.
$294,000.00
Proposal No.
2022-07280
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
May 1, 2023
Project End Date
Apr 30, 2026
Grant Year
2023
Program Code
[A1811]- AFRI Commodity Board Co-funding Topics
Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
(N/A)
RALEIGH,NC 27695
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The overall goal is to provide critical knowledge of the impact that seed processing has on cotton seed quality by measuring how both mechanical and chemical exposures may modify the seed's physiology and performance grown in both optimal and stressful conditions. The research that will be conducted is directly related to improving the understanding of genetic, biotic, and abiotic factors impacting cotton seed quality that can lead to improved value and profitability (A.8) for the program's goals. We will collaborate directly with the key stakeholders to inform them what step of the process potentially has the greatest impact on seed quality and seed vigor. There is currently no data reported that includes how the entire seed processing chain impacts seed quality before seed sale relating to the type of visually mechanically damaged (VMD) seed severity. This research directly assists the seed industry by studying the possible changes in seed metabolites (changes to the fatty acid profiles, amino acids, overall protein, and oil content) that hinder seed germination and declines seed vigor based on the imposed abiotic stress caused by both mechanical and chemical damage(s). We are proposing a testable hypothesis that uses a biostimulant composed of amino acids to help the seed metabolize necessary metabolites to measure the potential of a higher germination rate of damaged seed by assisting the metabolism of fatty acids that may decrease germination rates.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
10217101020100%
Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships;

Subject Of Investigation
1710 - Upland cotton;

Field Of Science
1020 - Physiology;
Goals / Objectives
The overall goal is to provide critical knowledge of the impact that seed processing has on cotton seed quality by measuring how both mechanical and chemical exposures may modify the seed's physiology and performance grown in both optimal and stressful conditions. The research that will be conducted is directly related to improving the understanding of genetic, biotic, and abiotic factors impacting cotton seed quality that can lead to improved value and profitability (A.8) for the program's goals. We will collaborate directly with the key stakeholders to inform them what step of the process potentially has the greatest impact on seed quality and seed vigor. There is currently no data reported that includes how the entire seed processing chain impacts seed quality before seed sale relating to the type of visually mechanically damaged (VMD) seed severity. This research directly assists the seed industry by studying the possible changes in seed metabolites (changes to the fatty acid profiles, amino acids, overall protein, and oil content) that hinder seed germination and declines seed vigor based on the imposed abiotic stress caused by both mechanical and chemical damage(s). We are proposing a testable hypothesis that uses a biostimulant composed of amino acids to help the seed metabolize necessary metabolites to measure the potential of a higher germination rate of damaged seed by assisting the metabolism of fatty acids that may decrease germination rates.
Project Methods
Evaluate cotton seed quality through the processing steps (field to bag) for cotton seed used for sale, evaluating in tandem the following sub-objectives (1.A, 1.B. and 1.C.) 1.A. Analyze the seed's metabolites for fatty acid and amino acids and overall oil and protein content. The seeds will be sorted before they are analyzed into the following three categories (1): random blind sample; (2) separated, non-damaged seed, and (3) visually mechanical damaged (VMD) seeds (Unruh Snyder et al. 2021). We will use two different varieties from the same company grown within the same state and nearby seed lots to minimize the environmental impact of the seeds' location where they were grown. The following locations/steps will be used to analyze the cotton seed for their metabolite profiles to track any changes that occurred between steps: ? Hand harvest cotton bolls before harvest- Baseline ? After mechanical harvesting-Second Step ? Ginning-Third Step ? Delinting with sulfuric acid-Fourth Step ? Seed treatments-Fifth Step ? After the seed is bagged before planting-Final Step Photographed each seed to track through the entire germination time. · Magnification and good light are necessary for evaluation. · Germinated under Warm Germination Conditions 30 C · Photographed Seeds Days 4, 8, 12 · Categorized each seed at day 12, Strong, Weak, or Abnormal · Measured Length of Root · Counted as Germinated > than 4 cm, included into three categories, strong, weak, or abnormal 1.B. A second sample set will be used to determine the germination and vigor of the three categories (1): random blind sample; (2) seperated, non-damaged seed and (3) visually mechanical damaged (VMD) seeds (Unruh Snyder et al. 2021, listed in 1.A). The VMD seeds will be divided into several subcategories (Unruh Snyder et al. 2021) and photographed and scanned to measure the seed surface area of each genetic variety used within the experimental design. Each seed will be tracked to its seedling survivorship. 1.C. A final sample set will be used to evaluate the VMD seeds for its field performance to final harvest utilizing the three categories (1): random blind sample; (2) sepe, and harvested for total yield and impact of seed production. Overall the statistical design allows for two locations (Texas and North Carolina) to cover different abiotic and biotic stresses of water limitations and temperature of soil at planting. We will use SAS and SPSS and R to run the statistical packages for data analysis. The seed industry is the primary stakeholders who will be involved with sharing these results followed by the cotton producers.

Progress 05/01/24 to 04/30/25

Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, the target audience is the cotton growers in the USA. This research also impacted university students and graduate students who assisted in collecting the first season of data in North Carolina and Texas. Changes/Problems:During the 2024 field season for Texas, all the data points were collected and recorded except for the 2024 seed quality aspects. Due to a ginning error, the seeds were discarded; however, the fiber quality of the lint was still collected and analyzed. Due to the nature of the study design, we cannotrecollect the dataset for seed quality attributes for Texas. We willonly process the seed quality from North Carolina in 2024. I have discussed a safety backup plan to prevent this from happening in 2025 with Texas. We have an established protocol to avoid any further ginningerrors from accruing. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has allowed graduate and undergraduate students to receive training on the details needed to conduct field and lab research. We continue to include both graduate and undergraduate students in the current field and lab activities for continued training through this reporting period. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The preliminary results have been presented at the Cotton Beltwide Meetings, Cotton Incorporated Supported Meetings for Stakeholders, and the Agronomy Society Meetings. Each meeting included attendees of the primary stakeholders: the industry seed producers and farmers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next reporting period will have the analyzed 2024 data and the field data collected for the 2025 field season and lab germinations.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In May 2024, we conducted the second year's field trials in North Carolina and Texas. We completed the statistical analysis on all field data collected for Year1 (2023), which includes the overall plant yield, plant tissue, fiber quality, and seed quality attributes. The seed quality attributes for 2024 are currently being analyzed, and we anticipate this to be completed by July 2025.Currently, we are working on all the statistical analyses for 2024 for all field data collectedwhile preparing for field planting in May of 2025,in North Carolina and Texas.The goal is to complete the 2024 field statistical analysis by July 01, 2025. Meanwhile, we anticipate the analysis of the 2024seed data to be completed by May or June of 2024. We expect to prepare for presentations for the Agronomy Meetings and Cottonbelt Wide Meetings in November.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Unruh Snyder, L., Sharpe, C., Starr, M., and Lege, K. 2024. Poster #1200 - Evaluating Progeny Performance of Cotton Seeds from Protein Hydrolysate-Treated Plants. ASA Meetings, San Antonio, Texas.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Unruh, Snyder, L.J. 2024. Biostimulants Impact on Seed Quality and Cotton Yield. Cotton Producers Meeting, Cary, NC. August 14, 2024 (40 participants), Invited Talk
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Unruh, Snyder, L. J. 2024. Improve the Understanding of Biotic and Abiotic Factors of Visually Mechanical Damaged Seed Impacting Cotton Seed Quality that Can Lead to Improved Value and Profitability. AFRI-A1811 Commodity Board Co-Funding Topics PD Meeting, On-line Zoom, September 17-18, 2024. (25 participants), Invited Talk


Progress 05/01/23 to 04/30/24

Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, the target audiences are the cotton growers of the USA. Also, this research impacted university students and graduate students who assisted in collecting the first season of data both at North Carolina and Texas. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has allowed training to take place for graduate and undergraduate students to understand the details needed to conduct field and lab research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The preliminary results have been presented at the Cotton Beltwide Meetings. This meeting had attendees ofthe primary stakeholders which were the industry and producers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next reporting period will have all data of 2023 analyzed and will also include the future plan for 2024 field and lab studies.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We conductedthe first year's field trials both in North Carolina and Texas. We still need to complete the statistical analysis on all field data collected for year 1.We have analyzed plant tissue, fiber quality, and seed density. In addition, we are currently in the process of delinting the seeds to run the seed quality analysis, which includes the fatty acids, amino acids, protein, and oil. The goal is to complete the 2023 field statistical analysis before May 01. Meanwhile, we anticipate the analysis of the 2023 seed data to be completed by May or June of 2024.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Crisp. M., M. Starr and L. J. Unruh-Snyder 2023. Mechanical Damage of Cotton Seed and Biostimulant Application. Cotton Field Day, Poster Presentation. 45 attendees at the North Carolina Field Station at Rocky Mount, NC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Crisp. M., M. Starr and L. J. Unruh-Snyder. 2024. Mechanical Damage of Cotton Seed and Biostimulant Application. Cotton Beltwide Conference, Fort Worth Texas, (Poster Presentation).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Starr, M., M Crisp, and L. Unruh-Snyder, R. Shim and B. Otsi. 2024. Use of Protein Hydrolysate Biostimulant on Cotton Seedling Performance and Seed Oil Content. Cotton Beltwide Conference, Fort Worth, Texas. (Oral Presentation).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Unruh-Snyder, L., J. Dever, M. Starr, M.Crisp, R. Ortiz, R. Shim, B. Otsi, and R. Angelovicir. 2024. A Project Overview: Understanding Biotic and Abiotic Factors of Visually Mechanical Damaged Seed Impacting Cotton Seed Quality that Can Lead to Improved Value and Profitability. Cotton Beltwide Conference, Fort Worth, Texas. (Poster Presentation).