Cotton Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 72-79 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/cgg 76 nutrient deficiencies and improving the resilience and economic viability of cotton cultivation in India. The lessons learned emphasize the need for region-specific nutrient management strategies that integrate both organic and inorganic inputs to optimize soil health and crop performance. Figure 1 Mean deficiency of available S and micronutrients in agricultural soils of India. Error bars indicate stand error of the means (Adopted from Shukla et al., 2021) 7 Future Directions and Innovations 7.1 Micronutrient nanotechnology and precision agriculture The integration of nanotechnology in micronutrient management presents a promising avenue for enhancing cotton fiber quality. Nanoparticles (NPs) offer unique properties such as high surface area and reactivity, which can improve the efficiency of nutrient uptake in plants. This approach, known as nanonutrition, has been shown to enhance the growth and yield of crops more effectively than conventional fertilizers (Ditta and Arshad, 2016). Additionally, the convergence of precision agriculture with nanotechnology and artificial intelligence can optimize nutrient delivery and uptake, thereby improving crop productivity and sustainability (Zhang et al., 2021). The use of nano-silicon and boron has already demonstrated improvements in cotton growth and fiber quality, suggesting that further exploration of nanotechnology in micronutrient management could yield significant benefits (Rabeh et al., 2023). 7.2 Genetic approaches to improve nutrient efficiency Advancements in cotton genomics have opened new possibilities for improving nutrient efficiency through genetic approaches. The sequencing of cotton genomes has provided insights into fiber biogenesis and the genetic basis for fiber quality traits (Yang et al., 2020). By identifying genomic variations and loci associated with fiber quality and yield, researchers can target specific genes for molecular selection and genetic manipulation (Ma et al., 2018). This genomic information can be leveraged to develop cotton varieties with enhanced nutrient use efficiency, potentially reducing the need for external nutrient inputs and minimizing environmental impacts (Khan et al., 2017). 7.3 Climate resilience and sustainable cotton quality As climate change continues to impact cotton production, developing climate-resilient cotton varieties is crucial. Micronutrient management plays a vital role in enhancing the resilience of cotton plants to abiotic stresses such as drought and heat (Abbas et al., 2023). Practices like sub-surface drip irrigation combined with optimized
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