Abstract: 【Objective】 To preliminarily study the biological function of 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL) family gene gh4cl30, which might provide theoretical basis and genetic resources for cotton plant breeding. 【Methods】 Virus-induced gene silencing technology and gene editing technology was used to obtain gh4cl30-silenced and edited plants and determine the flavone and lignin contents of the gene suppressed and knockout plants to investigate field phenotype, seed size and fiber quality. 【Results】 Both gene silencing and gene editing of the gene resulted in dwarfing of the plants and a significant reduction of lignin content in the plant stalks.Field phenotypic measurements showed that seed size and fiber length were significantly reduced in the gene edited plants. 【Conclusion】 Gh4CL30 affects cotton growth and development mainly through regulating lignin biosynthesis.