Deciphering the dynamic expression network of fiber elongation and the functional role of the GhTUB5 gene for fiber length in cotton based on an introgression population of upland cotton.

Introduction: Interspecific introgression between Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense allows breeding cotton with outstanding fiber length (FL). However, the dynamic gene regulatory network of FL-related genes has not been characterized, and the functional mechanism through which the hub gene GhTUB5 mediates fiber elongation has yet to be determined.