Nitrogen (N) Application Gradually Enhances Boll Development and Decreases Boll Shell Insecticidal Protein Content in N-Deficient Cotton

Expression of insecticidal protein in transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is lower in cotton reproduction organs, especially during boll development period. The current study investigated the effects of nitrogen fertilization under deficit on boll development and Bt toxin content in boll shell, which is the first target of boll worm harm. The nitrogen synthesis and degradation in this process was also studied to uncover the underlying mechanism. Five nitrogen levels (under nitrogen deficiency) were imposed on two cultivars, Sikang3 (hybrid) and Sikang1 (conventional), at the Yangzhou University Farm, Yangzhou, China during 2015 to 2016 cotton growth seasons. Under nitrogen deficiency, enhanced nitrogen rates increased the boll number per plant, boll volume, boll weight, boll shell amino acid content, protease and peptidase activities, but reduced boll shell Bt protein content, soluble protein content, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activities. There was a significant negative correlation between boll growth and boll shell insecticidal protein content under nitrogen deficiency, which was a result of uneven distribution of nitrogen in cotton bolls. Under increased nitrogen application rates, most nitrogen was transported and assimilated in boll seed instead of boll shell in developing cotton bolls, which resulted in decreased protein synthesis and increased protein degradation, and thus declined Bt protein content in boll shell.