Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 114-125 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 116 such as seed index and endosperm index are closely related to oil content and are often used as references (Eldessouky et al., 2021). Disease resistance and adaptability cannot be ignored. Some varieties have high oil content but are not disease-resistant and difficult to grow, which is not acceptable. When breeding, it is necessary to ensure that they can grow and produce oil normally under different environments (Malalha et al., 2023; Yang et al., 2022). 3.3 Notable high-oil cultivars (e.g., 'Sicot 189', 'H1220') Currently, some cotton varieties with high oil content have been screened out. For example, BRS Aroeira, Acala 1.13-3-1 and 149 FURRS have high oil content and can be hybridized with fiber-rich lines to breed new varieties (De Faria et al., 2013). In Egyptian cotton, genotypes 13, 15 and 8 have high endosperm oil content and good oil index, making them very suitable for improving oil content (Eldessouky et al., 2021). There are also two varieties in Cameroon, Irma Q302 and Irma A2249, which are stable and high in oil content when planted in different regions (Malalha et al., 2023). 3.4 Advances in genomic selection and hybridization Now, with the development of molecular breeding and genomics technology, the speed of breeding high-oil cotton has also accelerated. Researchers have found many key genes and QTL loci that control oil content and fatty acid composition. They also used gene editing (such as CRISPR/Cas9) and transgenic technologies to make the improvement more precise (Ashokkumar and Ravikesavan, 2011; Sharif et al., 2019; Zhu et al., 2020; Wu et al., 2022; Yang et al., 2022). There is a gene called GhDGAT1. If the expression is enhanced, the oil content of cotton seeds will increase significantly (Wu et al., 2021). Some people also use different types of cotton such as sea island cotton for hybridization and chromosome segment replacement, which can increase the source of useful genes and make the variety better (Zhu et al., 2020). Now, methods such as genomic selection and molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) are becoming more and more commonly used, which make breeding faster and more efficient (Ashokkumar and Ravikesavan, 2011; Yang et al., 2022). 4 Cultivation Practices 4.1 Soil preparation and fertility management: Best soil types, pH, organic matter It is best to choose fertile and well-drained soil for oil cotton. If there is enough organic matter and nutrients in the soil, cotton will grow better, and the yield and quality will also be improved. Before planting, if you can apply basal fertilizer properly and water well before sowing, not only will the root system grow more developed, but the leaves will also be larger. In this way, the aboveground part and the fruiting part of the cotton can accumulate more nutrients, and the distribution of oil and protein will be more reasonable in the end (Chen et al., 2017). Spraying some foliar fertilizers such as potassium nitrate and magnesium sulfate can also help improve the quality of fiber and the composition of oil (Kaur et al., 2025). 4.2 Sowing techniques and timing: Row spacing, seed rate, mechanized vs. manual The selection of cotton planting row spacing and density has a great impact on yield. Generally speaking, medium density (such as 9.0 plants/square meter) plus early sowing (such as late May) will increase the yield of seed cotton and lint cotton. This is mainly because the growth period has become longer and the weight of the fruiting part of cotton has increased (Khan et al., 2017). Reasonable density can also make the use of land and fertilizer more efficient, and can help cotton absorb more potassium and promote flowering and fruiting. Machine sowing is efficient and can be planted more evenly, but some places still rely on manual sowing. 4.3 Irrigation management: Requirements across growth stages Oil-producing cotton is more afraid of water shortage, especially during the flowering and fruiting period. If water resources are limited, you can try underground drip irrigation technology, such as irrigating at 80% of the crop water requirement (ETc). This method can achieve a relatively good level of cotton yield, oil and protein, while saving water, and cotton is more drought-resistant (Kaur et al., 2025). Another method is to plant on wide ridges and high ridges, and then irrigate at a moderate amount (for example, water at 1.0 times the evaporation Ep), which can also obtain good yields and oil content (Moursi and Yehia, 2016). If you irrigate enough water before planting, and then combine it with reasonable fertilization, it can also make the roots and leaves grow better,
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