Cotton fiber development is a complex process regulated by multiple networks that involve various transcription factors (TFs). Recent studies (2020-2025) have elucidated the roles of TFs through silencing and overexpression experiments in cotton plants. We conducted a literature search in NCBI using the keywords ‘transcription factor, fiber elongation, cotton plant’ to identify relevant studies. This review focuses on studies published between 2020 and 2025 that were selected for review. We discussed various TFs and molecular mechanisms leading to altered fiber length. The research works included various analyses of transcription factors, genes, proteins, and metabolites as well as fiber quality results. The reviewed data highlight the complexity of fiber development networks, which involve extensive crosstalk among regulatory pathways. Despite the complexity, many novel TFs, modules, and tandems that participate in fiber elongation have been found. Their positive or negative regulatory roles in fiber formation stages promote a more profound understanding of fiber initiation and elongation.
Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant hormone that has a significant role in many biochemical processes involved in cotton plant resistance against biotic and abiotic stress factors. Exogenous SA has been shown to have effects on plant growth and development, resistance to fungi and insects, and mitigation of abiotic stress factors. Treating cotton seedlings or plants with SA in a culture medium or spraying them with SA has enabled scientists to identify genes responsible for this chemical, associated with several biological functions. SA has been established as part of the defense system in cotton plants: antifungal resistance and insect resistance. Besides, it is a part of plant growth and development as well as fiber development. Identifying SA-responsive genes and understanding their roles in plant resistance enables the development of stress-resistant genotypes. This paper reviews scientific data resulting from the treatment of cotton plants with exogenous SA. In the first section, we discussed antifungal resistance-related data linked to SA treatment, which makes up the highest content of the review. We highlighted its significant role in cotton plant antifungal resistance. The second section deals with SA-responsive genes and metabolites linked with insect resistance. In the third section, we reviewed SA-responsive genes and enzymes associated with cotton plant growth and development. The scientific data regarding SA-linked cotton fiber development have been discussed in the last section. In summary, we discussed SA-responsive genes, proteins, and metabolites that could be used to develop genotypes with enhanced traits.
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