The cotton MYB33 gene is a hub gene regulating the trade-off between plant growth and defense in Verticillium dahliae infection

•The cotton miR319c-MYB33 module regulates trade-offs between plant growth and defense.•GhGAI1 interacts with GhMYB33 and affects its transcriptional activity.•GhMYB33 binds to the GhSPL9 promoter and activates its expression to increase plant height.•Under Verticillium dahliae infection, GhMYB33 expression is repressed to promote GhDFR1 transcription, increasing plant resistance.