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Histological Evidence for a Cotton Genotype with Opposite Leaves and Fruiting Branches at a Main Stem Node¹

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) usually has one fruiting branch emerging at each main stem node. ‘Tamcot SP-37’ plants often have two branches emerging opposite each other. Frequency of plants with two fruiting branches per node increased following selection of Tamcot SP-37 plants that had opposite leaves at nodes five or six, rather than the conventional spiral (alternate) leaf arrangement. We sought histological data concerning this previously unreported anomaly in phyllotaxis and fruiting emergence.

We compared the main-stem apical meristems and vascular systems of anomalous Tamcot SP-37 plants with those of ‘Stoneville 213’, a standard cultivar that does not exhibit this phenomenon. Comparative anatomy indicated no internode at the level(s) where Tamcot SP-37's two leaves and two fruiting branches emerge and develop. This anomaly in Tamcot SP-37 has not been reported previously and may be useful in the future for developing earlier maturing and higher yielding cotton cultivars.

Key Words: Phyllotaxis • Sympodia • Main stem apical meristem • Vascular system • Internode • Gossypium

² Plant physiologist and soil scientists, USDA, Weslaco, TX 78596 and research geneticist, USDA, Brownsville, TX 78520.

Received for publication November 6, 1976.