Physiological Changes to Cotton Under Heat Stress During Reproductive Development.

High temperature stress during cotton reproductive development has been linked to reduced final yields. Research has been limited in the examination of the effects of heat stress on the reproductive structures in cotton over the window of time from just before to just after flowering. Field and greenhouse studies were undertaken in 2011 to better understand the effects of heat stress upon the developing flower. Measurements were made the day prior to the heat stress, the day of heat stress, and the day following heat stress. Analyses included membrane leakage and fluorescence of the sub-tending leaves, and antioxidant levels in both the leaves and the ovaries. Results should help to help to explain the adverse effects of high temperature stress on yield development in cotton.