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Changes in the Cellular Structure of the Cotton Peduncle Related to Water Transport and Boll Opening¹

Cell number per row and radial width of cells, walls, and cell lumina were measured in rows of cells containing vessels, tracheids, and parenchyma cells in cross sections of 7- and 42-day-old cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) peduncles to ascertain changes reducing water entry into the boll. Three positions in both ages of peduncle: (A) close to the stem, (B) midway between the boll and the stem, and (C) near the boll, were compared to relate anatomical and morphological characters of the peduncle to decreased water supply to older cotton bolls. In the 42-day-old peduncle close to the boll no rows containing only vessels were seen. Vessel rows were seen at this level of the 7-day-old peduncle, indicating that some cells of the vascular cambium after day 7 ceased producing rows of cells containing only vessels and shifted to tracheid production. Tracheid rather than vessel production would presumably reduce water transporting capacity in older peduncles due to the smaller lumen in tracheids. Overall, there was more vascular cross-sectional area for water conduction in 42-day-old peduncles than in 7-day-old ones.

Key Words: Gossypium hirsutum • Boll opening • Boll decay • Boll rot • Water movement • Cellular structure

² Assistant professor, Dep. of Biolog, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC 27611 and, professor emeritus, Dep. of Plant Pathology, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

Received for publication April 11, 1980.