Recently, the research entitled “Brassinosteroids (BRs) in cotton: orchestrating fiber development” has been published by New Phytologist (IF = 8.3 ). In this paper, a researcher at the Cotton Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,  systematically summarized the latest progress in the regulation of cotton fiber development by brassinolide, analyzed and sorted out the molecular network of genes related to brassinolide signal transduction and biosynthetic pathway in regulating cotton fiber development, and proposed the molecular strategies for improving cotton fiber yield and quality by optimizing brassinolide-related genes.

Cotton cultivation spans over 30 million hectares across 85 countries and regions, with more than half participating in the global cotton textile trade. The elongated cotton fiber cell is an ideal model for studying cell elongation and understanding plant growth and development. Brassinosteroids (BRs), recognized for their role in cell elongation, offer the potential for improving cotton fiber quality and yield. Despite extensive research highlighting BR's positive impact on fiber development, a comprehensive review on this topic has been lacking. This review addresses this gap, providing a detailed analysis of the latest advancements in BR signaling and its effects on cotton fiber development. Resercher explore the complex network of BR biosynthesis components, signaling molecules, and regulators, including crosstalk with other pathways and transcriptional control mechanisms. Additionally, resercher propose molecular strategies and highlight key genetic elements for optimizing BR-related genes to enhance fiber quality and yield. The review emphasizes the importance of BR homeostasis and the hormonal landscape during cotton fiber development, offering insights into targeted manipulation opportunities and challenges. This consolidation offers a comprehensive understanding of BR's multifaceted roles in fiber development, outlining a strategic approach for BR optimization in cotton fiber quality and yield.

https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.20143