Conditioning of Fasciation by Gibberellin and Genotype in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The round-leafed mutant cotton line L-501 developed fasciation of the upper stem when field grown in Central Asia. Fasciation co-segregated with the mutant gene for round leaves In. ^l Fasciation developed at the flowering stage, but removal of floral buds did not prevent fasciation. Fasciation in L-501 could be inhibited by the gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis inhibitor chlorocholine chloride or by fusicoccin. GA₃ application in the field induced fasciation in the mutant's parental line L-463, which has five-lobed leaves and does not normally develop fasciation. Fasciation did not develop in either line, even after GA₃ treatment, in UK glasshouse conditions. Received June 17, 1998; accepted January 25, 1999