Synergistic Effects of Fulvic Acid and Phosphorus Fertilizers on Cotton Photosynthetic Capacity, Root Productivity, and Yield
Cotton root systems sustain photosynthesis by nutrient uptake and coordinate with above-ground growth to influence yield. This study explored the effects of fulvic acid (FA) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers on the relationships between cotton photosynthetic capacity (CAP) and root carbohydrate metabol...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1327 |
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| Summary: | Cotton root systems sustain photosynthesis by nutrient uptake and coordinate with above-ground growth to influence yield. This study explored the effects of fulvic acid (FA) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers on the relationships between cotton photosynthetic capacity (CAP) and root carbohydrate metabolism. A field experiment was conducted including five treatments: no P fertilizer (CK), 105 kg P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> ha<sup>−1</sup> (P1), 150 kg P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> ha<sup>−1</sup> (P2), 105 kg P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> ha<sup>−1</sup> + FA (FP1), and 150 kg P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> ha<sup>−1</sup> + FA (FP2). Results found that FP2 showed the most significant advantage, ensuring a suitable leaf area index (LAI) and cotton fractional interception of photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR) and consequently maintaining a high CAP. Compared with FP2, FP1 resulted in an increase in the boll loading of the root system (BLR) by 8.1% and the boll capacity of the root system (BCR) by 9.3%. From the peak flowering stage to the peak boll setting stage, sucrose and starch contents in FP1 were 6.2–19.2% and 26.5–27.9% lower than those in FP2, respectively. Conversely, fructose and glucose contents in FP1 were 6.4–10.8% and 7.2–8.8% higher than in FP2. The cotton reproductive organ biomass was increased by 11.1% and 14.7% relative to FP2. Moreover, FP1 achieved the highest yield, with an increase of 8.5% and 11.0% compared with P2 and FP2, respectively. Taken together, our study suggests that application of FP1 (105 kg P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> ha<sup>−1</sup> + FA) could be a proper P fertilization method in cotton production of saline-alkali and arid regions. |
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| ISSN: | 2073-4395 |