Effects of VIGS of GhFDs on lateral root development in 15-day-old seedlings. (A) Images of TRV:GhFDs root systems in cotton seedlings. (B, C) Statistical analyses of total root length and total root surface area. (D, E) Expression analysis of GhARF7 and GhARF19 as assessed by qRT-PCR. GhUBQ7 (DQ116441) was used as an internal control. Values are means ± standard deviations (n = 5). Unpaired Student’s t-test were performed to determine significant differences between TRV:00 and each TRV:GhFD cotton (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001).