Analysis of Photosynthetic Parameters, Yield, and Quality Correlations in Herbicide-Tolerant Transgenic Hybrid Cotton

Weed stress remains a major limiting factor in cotton production, and glyphosate-tolerant varieties provide an effective solution for chemical weed control. However, achieving a balance between herbicide tolerance and agronomic physiological traits remains challenging. In this study, three hybrid combinations were generated by crossing a glyphosate-tolerant cotton line (GGK2) with conventional elite lines and were comprehensively evaluated. Gene expression analysis revealed that the classical detoxification gene <i>GAT</i> was significantly downregulated in all hybrid combinations, whereas the expression of <i>GR79-EPSPS</i>, a gene associated with glutathione metabolism and oxidative stress response, was markedly elevated, particularly in the GGK2 × Y4 combination. This differential expression pattern suggests that <i>GR79-EPSPS</i> may compensate for the reduced function of <i>GAT</i> by conferring oxidative protection under herbicide stress. Physiological determination indicated that hybrid combinations with enhanced <i>GR79-EPSPS</i> expression, especially GGK2 × Y5, exhibited superior photosynthetic pigment composition and photosystem II (PSII) efficiency, validating the role of <i>GR79-EPSPS</i> in maintaining photosynthetic stability. Agronomic trait assessment demonstrated that GGK2 × Y4 achieved significant biomass accumulation and yield improvement through heterosis, although fiber quality improvement was limited. This study effectively enhanced the herbicide resistance of conventional cotton through crossbreeding and revealed that the interaction between <i>GR79-EPSPS</i> and GAT can improve cotton tolerance to herbicides, thereby providing a breeding strategy for developing cotton varieties with both herbicide tolerance and superior agronomic traits.