Submitted by Maria Beatriz Vieira (mbeatriz.vieira@gmail.com) on 2017-03-30T15:37:38Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) dissertacao_leonir_flach.pdf: 318187 bytes, checksum: 18084d61e9bb08da2b5e1c3dcda58b51 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-04-05T19:09:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao_leonir_flach.pdf: 318187 bytes, checksum: 18084d61e9bb08da2b5e1c3dcda58b51 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2017-04-05T19:10:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao_leonir_flach.pdf: 318187 bytes, checksum: 18084d61e9bb08da2b5e1c3dcda58b51 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-05T19:10:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao_leonir_flach.pdf: 318187 bytes, checksum: 18084d61e9bb08da2b5e1c3dcda58b51 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-06-01 / Sem bolsa / Considerando a importância do tratamento e da manutenção da qualidade da semente durante o armazenamento, objetivou-se através deste trabalho avaliar o desempenho fisiológico de sementes de algodão tratadas quimicamente e armazenadas em condição ambiente. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com 6 repetições, em esquema fatorial 9 x 6 (tratamentos x época de avaliação). Foram realizados os seguintes tratamentos de sementes: T1 – Testemunha (sem tratamento); T2 – Fungicida Carbendazin 150g/l e Tiran 350g/l (600 ml/100 kg de sementes); T3 – Fungicida Triadmenol 150g/l (200 ml/100 kg de sementes); T4 – Fungicida Pencicurom 250g/l (300 ml/100 kg de sementes); T5 – Fungicida Azoxistrobina 75g/l, Metalaxil-M 37,5g/l e Fludioxonil 12,5 g/l (300 ml/100kg de sementes); T6 – Inseticida Imidacloprido 150 g/l e Tiodicarbe 450g/l (2400 ml/100kg de sementes); T7 – Inseticida Tiametoxam 350g/L (600ml/100kg de sementes); T8 – Composto pelos tratamentos 2, 3, 4 e 6 mencionados acima; T9 – Composto pelos tratamentos 5 e 7. A avaliação da qualidade fisiológica das sementes de algodão foi realizada aos 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 e 150 dias de armazenamento através dos testes de germinação e vigor (baixa temperatura e envelhecimento acelerado). Os resultados permitem constatar que os produtos (triadmenol) e o (carbendazin e tiran + triadmenol + Pencicurom + imidacloprido e tiodicarbe) reduzem os percentuais de germinação e vigor da sementes de algodão. A qualidade fisiológica é negativamente afetada conforme se aumenta o período de armazenamento. / Considering the importance of treatment and maintenance of seed quality during storage, the aim through this work was to evaluate the physiological performance of cotton seeds chemically treated and stored at room temperature. The experimental design was completely randomized with six replications in factorial scheme 9 x 6 (treatments x evaluation time). The following seed treatments were used: T1 - control (no treatment); T2 - Fungicide Carbendazin 150g / l Tiran 350g / l (600 ml / 100 kg seed); T3 - Fungicide Triadmenol 150g / l (200 ml / 100 kg seed); T4 - Fungicide Pencicurom 250g / l (300 ml / 100 kg seed); T5 - Fungicide Azoxystrobin 75g / l, Metalaxyl-M 37,5g / l Fludioxonil 12.5 g / l (300 ml / 100kg seed); T6 - insecticide Imidacloprid 150 g / l Thiodicarb 450g / l (2400 ml / 100kg seed); T7 - insecticide thiamethoxam 350 g / L (600ml / 100kg of seeds); T8 - for treatments compound 2, 3, 4 and 6 mentioned above; T9 - Composed by treatments 5 and 7. The evaluation of the physiological quality of cotton seeds was performed at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days of storage through the germination and vigor tests (low temperature and accelerated aging). The results help determine that the product (triadmenol) and (carbendazin and tyranny + triadmenol + Pencicurom + imidacloprid and thiodicarb) reduce the percentage of germination and vigor of cotton seeds. The physiological quality is adversely affected as increases the storage period.

Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2017-12-12T18:27:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SauloHenriqueGomesDeAzevedo_TESE.pdf: 2820544 bytes, checksum: f1294c696450b1d2d679c0c9eac313f7 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Arlan Eloi Leite Silva (eloihistoriador@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-12-13T20:40:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 SauloHenriqueGomesDeAzevedo_TESE.pdf: 2820544 bytes, checksum: f1294c696450b1d2d679c0c9eac313f7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-13T20:40:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SauloHenriqueGomesDeAzevedo_TESE.pdf: 2820544 bytes, checksum: f1294c696450b1d2d679c0c9eac313f7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-01 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES) / No contexto energ?tico mundial, o biodiesel tem despontado como uma importante fonte de energia renov?vel, sobretudo devido ? facilidade de produ??o do mesmo e ? variedade de mat?ria-prima dispon?vel mundialmente. Especificamente no Brasil, a ind?stria de biodiesel tem apresentado importante crescimento de produ??o, tendo em vista as leis federais que obrigam a mistura do B100 (biodiesel) ao diesel f?ssil. Diante da import?ncia desta ind?stria para o Brasil, este trabalho buscou avaliar o potencial do ?leo de sementes de algod?o para a produ??o de biodiesel a partir de tr?s t?cnicas: transesterifica??o, utilizando etanol, interesterifica??o, usando acetato de metila, e interesterifica??o, com acetato de metila e adi??o de solu??o aquosa de ?cido ac?tico. As rea??es ocorreram em condi??es supercr?ticas, em reator tubular de fluxo cont?nuo com volume de 15 mL. O rendimento m?ximo obtido pela transesterifica??o foi de 75,05%, na press?o de 150 e 200 bar, 375 ?C, raz?o molar ?leo/etanol 1:40, e tempos espaciais 40 min (150 bar) e 30 min (200 bar). J? na rota utilizando acetato de metila, o maior rendimento foi de 99,51% (?steres met?licos de ?cidos graxos + triacetina), obtido em 35 min, raz?o m?ssica ?leo/acetato de metila 1:3, press?o 200 bar e 350 ?C, utilizando 20%, em massa, de solu??o aquosa de ?cido ac?tico com concentra??o de 26%. Foram observados elevados valores de decomposi??o do biodiesel, em ambas as rotas, devido ?s altas concentra??es de triglicer?deos poliinsaturados no ?leo e ?s severas condi??es do processo. / In the global energy context, biodiesel has emerged as an important source of renewable energy, mainly due to its ease of production and the variety of raw material available worldwide. Specifically in Brazil, the biodiesel industry has shown significant production growth, due to the federal laws that require the mixing of B100 (biodiesel) with fossil diesel. Considering the importance of this industry to Brazil, this work sought to evaluate the potential of cotton seed oil for the production of biodiesel from three techniques: transesterification using ethanol, interesterification using methyl acetate and interesterification with methyl acetate and addition of aqueous acetic acid solution. The reactions occurred under supercritical conditions in a continuous flow tubular reactor with a volume of 15 mL. The maximum yield obtained by transesterification was 75.05%, at 150 and 200 bar pressure, 375 ?C, 1:40 oil/ethanol molar ratio, and spatial times 40 min (150 bar) and 30 min (200 bar). In the other method, using methyl acetate, the highest yield was 99.51% (methyl esters of fatty acids+ triacetin) obtained in 35 min, oil/methyl acetate ratio 1:3, pressure 200 bar and 350 ?C, using 20%, by mass, of aqueous acetic acid solution with a concentration of 26%. High values of biodiesel decomposition were observed in both routes due to the high concentrations of polyunsaturated triglycerides in the oil and the severe process conditions.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-09Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:44:35Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 cardoso_gd_dr_jabo.pdf: 279202 bytes, checksum: 9e92c9473063ab02a0b348aed72354f8 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar os períodos de interferência das plantas daninhas no algodoeiro de fibra naturalmente colorida (BRS Safira e BRS Verde), e avaliar o efeito da competição das plantas daninhas na produtividade desta cultura. Dois experimentos foram instalados na área experimental da Embrapa Algodão em Missão Velha, CE, (7º42’07’’ de latitude e 39º24’18’’ de longitude, altitude de 360 m) na safra 2007/2008, utilizando-se o espaçamento de 1,00 x 0,20 m. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, os tratamentos constaram de duas: modalidades de competição (convivência e controle de plantas daninhas) e períodos de interferência das plantas daninhas. Os períodos iniciais de controle ou de convivência após a emergência da cultura foram 0-20, 0-40, 0-60, 0-80 dias após a emergência (DAE) e 0-colheita (120 dias). Para determinação dos períodos de interferência, considerando-se perdas na produtividade de 2, 5 e 10%; foi realizada análise de regressão do modelo sigmoidal de Boltzmann, utilizando-se os dados de produtividade separadamente dentro de cada modalidade de competição. A comunidade infestante para ambas cultivares, foi composta por 21 espécies, destacando-se: Richardia grandiflora, Amaranthus deflexus, Eleusine indica, Merremia aegyptia, Eragrotis pilosa, Cenchrus echinatus e Waltheria indica. Observou-se para cultivar BRS Safira, que os períodos anteriores a interferência (PAI) foram, respectivamente, 8, 14 e 20 DAE, para perdas na produtividade de 2, 5 e 10%; e os períodos críticos de prevenção a interferências (PCPI), para esses mesmo níveis de perdas, foram respectivamente, 100, 82 e 60 dias. Para cultivar BRS Verde, os PAIs foram, respectivamente, 25, 31 e 35 DAE, para perdas de 2, 5 e 10%; e os PCPIs, para esses mesmo níveis de perdas, foram respectivamente... / This study aimed to determine the late-season presence of weeds in reddish brown cotton and green cotton (cultivars BRS Safira and BRS Verde) and the critical times for removing weeds. And assess the effect of weeds competition in the crop productivity. Two experiments were carried out in the area of Embrapa in Missão Mission-CE, Brazil, the region Cariri, located at 7º42’07’’ S latitude and 39º24’18’’ WGr. longitude, altitude of 360 m, in the 2007/2008 season. The treatments consisted of two control groups: weed-free crop during the initial period after crop emergency, and crop kept with weeds during initial period after plant emergency. Both consisted, 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 e 120 days after crop emergency (DAE). Regression analysis was performed of the model of sigmoidal Boltzmann, using data from productivity separately within each type of competition, to identify the critical periods of competition considering 2, 5 and 10% reduction in yield. The community of weeds, for both cultivars, was composed by 21 predominant species, standing out among them: Richardia grandiflora, Amaranthus deflexus, Eleusine indica, Merremia aegyptia, Eragrotis pilosa, Cenchrus echinatus and Waltheria indica. For cultivar BRS Safira, considering 2, 5 and 10% reduction in yield fiber as acceptable, the period preceding the interference was, respectively, 8, 14 and 20 (DAE). And the critical periods of prevention to interferences, for those same levels of losses, they were respectively, 100, 82 and 60 (DAE). For cultivar BRS Verde, considering 2, 5 and 10% reduction in yield fiber as acceptable, the period preceding the interference was, respectively, 25, 31 and 35 (DAE). And the critical periods of prevention to interferences, for those same levels of losses, they were respectively, 67, 43 and 22 (DAE). The BRS Safira cultivar was more susceptible to interference of the weed community that BRS Verde.

Submitted by Jonas Pereira de Souza Júnior (jonas.psj@hotmail.com) on 2018-04-23T20:57:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertação final.pdf: 1689877 bytes, checksum: db5dec7519f11508f805cbffc672e4fd (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Alexandra Maria Donadon Lusser Segali null (alexmar@fcav.unesp.br) on 2018-04-25T12:46:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 souzajunior_jps_me_jabo.pdf: 1689877 bytes, checksum: db5dec7519f11508f805cbffc672e4fd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-25T12:46:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 souzajunior_jps_me_jabo.pdf: 1689877 bytes, checksum: db5dec7519f11508f805cbffc672e4fd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A deficiência de boro é um fator limitante na produção do algodoeiro, mas o excesso pode induzir à toxicidade. Nas duas desordens nutricionais de boro, o acréscimo de silício, via foliar ou radicular, pode aliviar esses efeitos, mas essas informações não são conhecidas nas plantas de algodão. Objetivou-se (a) inicialmente, verificar a fonte e a concentração de Si aplicada via foliar que resulta em maior acúmulo do elemento nas plantas de algodão; (b) definir a concentração crítica do boro na solução nutritiva que induz à deficiência e à toxicidade do micronutriente nas plantas de algodão, e (c) verificar o efeito do silício, aplicado via foliar e radicular, como agente mitigador dos efeitos deletérios da deficiência e da toxicidade de boro no algodoeiro. Foram desenvolvidos três experimentos em plantas de algodão transgênico cultivados em sistema semi-hidropônico em casa de vegetação. O primeiro experimento foi com concentrações de Si via foliar em diferentes fontes do elemento. O segundo experimento foi com concentrações de B na solução nutritiva. Com os resultados destes experimentos, obtiveram-se a concentração foliar de Si e a fonte mais adequada, e a concentração de B na solução nutritiva, que induz a suficiência, deficiência e toxicidade. Diante destes resultados, realizou-se o terceiro experimento, onde foram avaliados Si aplicado via foliar e radicular, e o controle (sem Si) em plantas de algodão sob deficiência, suficiência e toxicidade de B. A aplicação foliar de Si é viável agronomicamente para o algodoeiro, pois incrementou o acúmulo de Si, o teor de clorofila e a eficiência quântica do fosossistema II, favorecendo a produção de matéria seca, destacando-se o Si aplicado na forma de silicato de sódio e potássio estabilizado com sorbiol, na concentração de 0,8 g L-1 de Si. O nível crítico de B na solução nutritiva por deficiência e toxicidade, associado à diminuição de 25% da produção de massa seca de plantas de algodão, foi 33,7 e 130,5 µmol L-1 de B, respectivamente. O silício mitiga desordem nutricional de boro em algodoeiro, destacando aplicação foliar e radicular para aliviar os efeitos deletérios de deficiência e toxicidade de B, respectivamente. / Boron deficiency is a limiting factor for cotton production, but boron excess may induce toxicity. In the two nutritional disorders of boron, the addition of silicon by leaf or root application can alleviate these effects but this information is unknown in cotton plants. The objective of this study was to (a) initially verify the source and concentration of Si applied in the leaf that results in greater accumulation of the element in the cotton plants; (b) define the critical concentration of boron in the nutrient solution that induces the deficiency and toxicity of the micronutrient, and (c) to verify the effect of silicon, applied by leaf and root, as a mitigating agent of the deleterious effects of boron deficiency and toxicity in cotton. Three experiments were carried out on cotton plants cultivated in a soilless growing system. The first experiment was with concentrations of Si by leaf application with different sources of the element. The second experiment was with concentrations of B in the nutrient solution. With the results of these experiments, we got the more adequate Si foliar source and concentration; and the concentration of B in nutrition solution that induces to sufficiency, deficiency and toxicity. The third experiment was done to verify the effects of apply silicon by leaf and root and control (without Si) in cotton plants under deficiency, sufficiency and toxicity of B. The application of Si is viable for cotton, since it increased the accumulation of Si, the chlorophyll content and the quantum efficiency of the photosystem II, favoring the dry matter production, emphasizing Si applied in the form of sodium and potassium silicate stabilized with sorbitol at the concentration of 0,8 g L-1 of Si. The critical level of B in the nutrient solution due to deficiency and toxicity, associated with a 25% decrease in dry matter yield of cotton plants, was 33.7 and 130.5 µmol L-1 of B, respectively. Silicon mitigates nutritional disorder of boron in cotton highlighting leaf and root application to alleviate the deleterious effects of B deficiency and toxicity, respectively.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-12-02T11:48:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Martin Duarte de Oliveira.pdf: 542421 bytes, checksum: b1d0b27882021d48796843f9dc6a3760 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-02T11:48:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Martin Duarte de Oliveira.pdf: 542421 bytes, checksum: b1d0b27882021d48796843f9dc6a3760 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-04 / The striped mealybug, Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), was recently recorded naturally occurring in differnt cotton fields in Brazil. Aiming a proper control of this insect is essential to obtain information about the life history of the pest on cotton plants and the interactions with this host plant under variable conditions of its environment. This work evaluated the population growth and verified the within-plant distribution of different stages of the pest using four cotton cultivars. Further, development and reproduction of the mealybug was determined under varied conditions of temperature (25, 27, and 28°C), mating status, and host plant condition regarding nitrogen fertilization and water stress. The cotton plants were artificially infested with neonate nymphs and the number of females and the total of individuals were recorded after 25 and 50 days, respectively. Also, the offspring production was evaluated using the factitious host and cotton plants with or without subjecting the plants to water stress with mated and unmated females. The rate of mealybug establishment on cotton plants from artificial infestation, development, type of reproduction, number of offspring produced and their sex ratio was determined on cotton plant submitted to nitrogen fertilization and water stress. The withinplant distribution of F. virgata is characterized with mealybugs being found in all plant strucutres for second generation of offspring with a numerical growth superior to 412 folds and similar across all four cotton cultivars studied. The temperatures of 27 and 28°C were favorable to the development and reproduction of F.virgata, while the nymphal viability was superior at 25oC. Under our studied conditions, F. virgata female exhibited only sexual reproduction, hence, with offspring production only by mated females, while unmated females die without offspring production. The offspring production was twice greater on plants subjected to water stress and with successive N fertilizations. Thus, we can conclude that the information generated with this work brings contribution to the knowledge of the potential of this species to reach the status of cotton pest. / A cochonilha-de-listra, Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), foi recentemente constatada no Brasil infestando lavouras de algodão. Em busca do manejo adequado desta cochonilha é fundamental conhecer a sua habilidade em se desenvolver no algodoeiro, bem como a influência das condições ambientais e do habitat na susceptibilidade da planta. Assim, foi avaliado o crescimento populacional e verificada a distribuição de F. virgata em quatro cultivares de algodão. Além disso, avaliou-se o desenvolvimento desta cochonilha em regime variável de temperatura, o tipo de reprodução, bem como o seu desempenho em plantas de algodão submetidas à adubação nitrogenada e ao déficit hídrico. Plantas de algodoeiro foram infestadas com ninfas neonatas, sendo verificado, aos 25 e 50 dias após a infestação, o número de fêmeas e total de indivíduos, respectivamente. O desenvolvimento de F. virgata foi monitorado quando criada em folhas de algodão a 25, 27 e 28 °C, e o tipo de reprodução averiguado quando criada sobre o hospedeiro alternativo (abóbora) e plantas de algodão submetidas ou não ao déficit hídrico. Além disso, foram determinados o estabelecimento, desenvolvimento, produção de descendentes e razão sexual em plantas submetidas ou não a adubações nitrogenadas e ao déficit hídrico. F. virgata apresenta crescimento numérico superior a 412 vezes em uma geração, sendo semelhante entre as cultivares de algodão BRS Rubi, BRS Safira, BRS Verde e CNPH 7H, e se distribui por toda planta de algodão. As temperaturas de 27 e 28°C foram as mais favoráveis ao desenvolvimento e reprodução de F. virgata, enquanto que a 25oC foi observada maior viabilidade para a fase ninfal. A reprodução de F. virgata, nas condições do estudo, foi apenas sexuada. O número de descendentes foi duas vezes maior em plantas submetidas a sucessivas adubações nitrogenadas e ao déficit hídrico. Com isto, conclui-se que as informações oriundas deste trabalho contribuem para o conhecimento do potencial que esta espécie tem para atingir o status de praga do algodoeiro.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The Australian cotton industry has developed high yielding and high quality fibre production systems and attributes a significant contribution of this achievement to highly innovative breeding programs, specifically focused on the production of premium quality lint for the export market. Breeding programs have recently shifted attention to the development of new germplasm with superior stress tolerance to minimise yield losses attributed to adverse environmental conditions and inputs such as irrigation, fertilisers and pesticides. Various contributors to yield, such as physiology, biochemistry and gene expression have been implemented as screening tools for tolerance to high temperatures under growth cabinet and laboratory conditions but there has been little extension of these mechanisms to field based systems. This study evaluates tools for the identification of specific genotypic thermotolerance under field conditions using a multi-level ‘top down’ approach from crop to gene level. Field experiments were conducted in seasons 1 (2006) and 3 (2007) at Narrabri (Australia) and season 2 (2006) in Texas (The United States of America) and were supplemented by growth cabinet experiments to quantify cultivar differences in yield, physiology, biochemical function and gene expression under high temperatures. Whole plants were subjected to high temperatures in the field through the construction of Solarweave® tents and in the growth cabinet at a temperature of 42 oC. The effectiveness of these methods was then evaluated to establish a rapid and reliable screening tool for genotype specific thermotolerance that could potentially improve the efficiency of breeding programs and aid the development to high yielding cultivars for hot growing regions. Cotton cultivars Sicot 53 and Sicala 45 were evaluated for thermotolerance using crop level measurements (yield and fibre quality) and whole plant measurements (fruit retention) to determine the efficacy of these measurements as screening tools for thermotolerance under field conditions. Sicot 53 was selected as a relatively thermotolerant cultivar whereas Sicala 45 was selected as a cultivar with a lower relative thermotolerance and this assumption was made on the basis of yield in hot and cool environments under the CSIRO Australian cotton breeding program. Yield and fruit retention were lower under tents compared with ambient conditions in all 3 seasons. Yield and fruit retention were highly correlated in season 1 and were higher for Sicot 53 compared to Sicala 45 suggesting that fruit retention is a primary limitation to yield in a hot season. Thus yield and fruit retention are good indicators of thermotolerance in a hot season. Temperature treatment and cultivar differences were determined for fibre quality in seasons 1 and 3; however, quality exceeded the industry minimum thereby indicating that fibre quality is not a good determinant of thermotolerance. Physiological determinants of plant functionality such as photosynthesis, electron transport rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were determined for cultivars Sicot 53 and Sicala 45 under the tents and an index of these parameters was also analysed to determine overall plant physiological capacity in the field. Physiological capacity was also determined under high temperatures in the growth cabinet using a light response curve at various levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Photosynthesis and electron transport rate decreased, whilst stomatal conductance and transpiration rate increased under the tents as well as under high temperatures in the growth cabinet. Photosynthesis and electron transport rate were higher for Sicot 53 but stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were higher for Sicala 45 under the tents. No cultivar differentiation was evident for plants grown under high temperatures in the growth cabinet. Temperature treatment and cultivar differences in physiological function were greater in a hot year (season 1), thereby indicating the importance of cultivar selection for thermotolerance in the presence of stress. Electron transport rate was correlated with yield in season 1, thus suggesting the suitability of this method for broad genotypic screening for thermotolerance under field conditions. Biochemical processes such as membrane integrity and enzyme viability were used to determine cultivar specific thermotolerance under high temperature stress in the laboratory, field and growth cabinet. Electrolyte leakage is an indicator of decreased membrane integrity and may be estimated by the relative electrical conductivity or relative cellular injury assays. The heat sensitivity of dehydrogenase activity, a proxy for cytochrome functionality and capacity for mitochondrial electron transport, may be quantified spectrophotometrically. Cellular membrane integrity and enzyme viability decreased sigmoidally with exposure to increasing temperatures in a water bath. Membrane integrity was higher for Sicot 53 compared with Sicala 45 under the tents and under high temperatures in the growth cabinet. No temperature treatment or cultivar differences were found for enzyme viability under the tents; however, enzyme viability for Sicala 45 was higher in the growth cabinet compared with Sicot 53. Relative electrical conductivity was strongly correlated with yield under ambient field conditions and under the tents, suggesting impairment of electron flow through photosynthetic and/or respiratory pathways, thus contributing to lower potential for ATP production and energy generation for yield contribution. Thus, the membrane integrity assay was considered to be a rapid and reliable tool for thermotolerance screening in cotton cultivars. Gene expression was examined for cultivars Sicot 53 and Sicala 45 grown under high (42 oC) temperatures in the growth cabinet. Rubisco activase expression was quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and was decreased under high temperatures and was lower for Sicala 45 than Sicot 53. Maximum cultivar differentiation was found after 1.0 h exposure to high temperatures and hence, leaf tissue sampled from this time point was further analysed for global gene profiling using cDNA microarrays. Genes involved in metabolism, heat shock protein generation, electron flow and ATP generation were down-regulated under high temperatures in the growth cabinet and a greater number of genes were differentially expressed for Sicala 45, thereby indicating a higher level of heat stress and a greater requirement for mobilisation of protective and compensatory mechanisms compared with Sicot 53. Cultivar specific thermotolerance determination using gene profiling may be a useful tool for understanding the underlying basis of physiological and biochemical responses to high temperature stress in the growth cabinet. There is future opportunity for profiling genes associated with heat stress and heat tolerance for identification of key genes associated with superior cultivar performance under high temperature stress and characterisation of these genes under field conditions. This research has identified cultivar differences in yield under field conditions and has identified multiple physiological and biochemical pathways that may contribute to these differences. Future characterisation of genes associated with heat stress and heat tolerance under growth cabinet conditions may be extended to field conditions, thus providing the underlying basis of the response of cotton to high temperature stress. Electron transport rate and relative electrical conductivity were found to be rapid and reliable determinants of cultivar specific thermotolerance and hence may be extended to broad-spectrum screening of a range of cotton cultivars and species and under a range of abiotic stress. This will enable the identification of superior cotton cultivars for incorporation into local breeding programs for Australian and American cotton production systems.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The Australian cotton industry has developed high yielding and high quality fibre production systems and attributes a significant contribution of this achievement to highly innovative breeding programs, specifically focused on the production of premium quality lint for the export market. Breeding programs have recently shifted attention to the development of new germplasm with superior stress tolerance to minimise yield losses attributed to adverse environmental conditions and inputs such as irrigation, fertilisers and pesticides. Various contributors to yield, such as physiology, biochemistry and gene expression have been implemented as screening tools for tolerance to high temperatures under growth cabinet and laboratory conditions but there has been little extension of these mechanisms to field based systems. This study evaluates tools for the identification of specific genotypic thermotolerance under field conditions using a multi-level ‘top down’ approach from crop to gene level. Field experiments were conducted in seasons 1 (2006) and 3 (2007) at Narrabri (Australia) and season 2 (2006) in Texas (The United States of America) and were supplemented by growth cabinet experiments to quantify cultivar differences in yield, physiology, biochemical function and gene expression under high temperatures. Whole plants were subjected to high temperatures in the field through the construction of Solarweave® tents and in the growth cabinet at a temperature of 42 oC. The effectiveness of these methods was then evaluated to establish a rapid and reliable screening tool for genotype specific thermotolerance that could potentially improve the efficiency of breeding programs and aid the development to high yielding cultivars for hot growing regions. Cotton cultivars Sicot 53 and Sicala 45 were evaluated for thermotolerance using crop level measurements (yield and fibre quality) and whole plant measurements (fruit retention) to determine the efficacy of these measurements as screening tools for thermotolerance under field conditions. Sicot 53 was selected as a relatively thermotolerant cultivar whereas Sicala 45 was selected as a cultivar with a lower relative thermotolerance and this assumption was made on the basis of yield in hot and cool environments under the CSIRO Australian cotton breeding program. Yield and fruit retention were lower under tents compared with ambient conditions in all 3 seasons. Yield and fruit retention were highly correlated in season 1 and were higher for Sicot 53 compared to Sicala 45 suggesting that fruit retention is a primary limitation to yield in a hot season. Thus yield and fruit retention are good indicators of thermotolerance in a hot season. Temperature treatment and cultivar differences were determined for fibre quality in seasons 1 and 3; however, quality exceeded the industry minimum thereby indicating that fibre quality is not a good determinant of thermotolerance. Physiological determinants of plant functionality such as photosynthesis, electron transport rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were determined for cultivars Sicot 53 and Sicala 45 under the tents and an index of these parameters was also analysed to determine overall plant physiological capacity in the field. Physiological capacity was also determined under high temperatures in the growth cabinet using a light response curve at various levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Photosynthesis and electron transport rate decreased, whilst stomatal conductance and transpiration rate increased under the tents as well as under high temperatures in the growth cabinet. Photosynthesis and electron transport rate were higher for Sicot 53 but stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were higher for Sicala 45 under the tents. No cultivar differentiation was evident for plants grown under high temperatures in the growth cabinet. Temperature treatment and cultivar differences in physiological function were greater in a hot year (season 1), thereby indicating the importance of cultivar selection for thermotolerance in the presence of stress. Electron transport rate was correlated with yield in season 1, thus suggesting the suitability of this method for broad genotypic screening for thermotolerance under field conditions. Biochemical processes such as membrane integrity and enzyme viability were used to determine cultivar specific thermotolerance under high temperature stress in the laboratory, field and growth cabinet. Electrolyte leakage is an indicator of decreased membrane integrity and may be estimated by the relative electrical conductivity or relative cellular injury assays. The heat sensitivity of dehydrogenase activity, a proxy for cytochrome functionality and capacity for mitochondrial electron transport, may be quantified spectrophotometrically. Cellular membrane integrity and enzyme viability decreased sigmoidally with exposure to increasing temperatures in a water bath. Membrane integrity was higher for Sicot 53 compared with Sicala 45 under the tents and under high temperatures in the growth cabinet. No temperature treatment or cultivar differences were found for enzyme viability under the tents; however, enzyme viability for Sicala 45 was higher in the growth cabinet compared with Sicot 53. Relative electrical conductivity was strongly correlated with yield under ambient field conditions and under the tents, suggesting impairment of electron flow through photosynthetic and/or respiratory pathways, thus contributing to lower potential for ATP production and energy generation for yield contribution. Thus, the membrane integrity assay was considered to be a rapid and reliable tool for thermotolerance screening in cotton cultivars. Gene expression was examined for cultivars Sicot 53 and Sicala 45 grown under high (42 oC) temperatures in the growth cabinet. Rubisco activase expression was quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and was decreased under high temperatures and was lower for Sicala 45 than Sicot 53. Maximum cultivar differentiation was found after 1.0 h exposure to high temperatures and hence, leaf tissue sampled from this time point was further analysed for global gene profiling using cDNA microarrays. Genes involved in metabolism, heat shock protein generation, electron flow and ATP generation were down-regulated under high temperatures in the growth cabinet and a greater number of genes were differentially expressed for Sicala 45, thereby indicating a higher level of heat stress and a greater requirement for mobilisation of protective and compensatory mechanisms compared with Sicot 53. Cultivar specific thermotolerance determination using gene profiling may be a useful tool for understanding the underlying basis of physiological and biochemical responses to high temperature stress in the growth cabinet. There is future opportunity for profiling genes associated with heat stress and heat tolerance for identification of key genes associated with superior cultivar performance under high temperature stress and characterisation of these genes under field conditions. This research has identified cultivar differences in yield under field conditions and has identified multiple physiological and biochemical pathways that may contribute to these differences. Future characterisation of genes associated with heat stress and heat tolerance under growth cabinet conditions may be extended to field conditions, thus providing the underlying basis of the response of cotton to high temperature stress. Electron transport rate and relative electrical conductivity were found to be rapid and reliable determinants of cultivar specific thermotolerance and hence may be extended to broad-spectrum screening of a range of cotton cultivars and species and under a range of abiotic stress. This will enable the identification of superior cotton cultivars for incorporation into local breeding programs for Australian and American cotton production systems.