Objective This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of trehalose seed soaking in alleviating drought stress in cotton under different irrigation conditions, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving cotton drought resistance.
Methods Using Zhongmian 113 as the test material, seeds were soaked with trehalose at concentrations of 0, 10, 15, and 20 mmol/L, combined with conventional irrigation and moderate drought stress treatments. Cotton growth and development, physiological indices, and yield were measured.
Results Under drought stress, 15 mmol/L trehalose soaking significantly increased plant height at the squaring stage (by 24.5%, P<0.05) and stem diameter at the flowering stage (by 21.8%, P<0.05). It reduced leaf malondialdehyde (MDA) content by 1.9% - 35.3% (P<0.05), enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 1.6% - 10.1% (P<0.05), and elevated proline (Pro) content by 13.1% - 45.5% (P<0.05) at the squaring, full flowering, and late full boll stages. Biomass accumulation increased by 30.8%, the biomass distribution ratio of sink organs rose by 11.9%, and the number of bolls per plant and seed cotton yield both increased significantly by 60.8% compared with the control.
Conclusion Trehalose at 15 mmol/L is the optimal soaking concentration, which can significantly alleviate the inhibition of drought stress on cotton growth, improve biomass accumulation, antioxidant capacity and yield, and enhance cotton drought resistance.
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