Cotton Research Station

Regional Cotton Research Station was established in the year 1962, where research on extra long staple cotton (G. hirsutum) was initiated with help of I.C.C.
Further development of station was done with the help of ICAR during 1967 through sanction of "All India Co-ordinated Cotton Improvement Project" where initial project has been merged with new project. Since then research on crop improvement, agrotechnology, entomological and pathological aspect on cotton is under progress.
Looking to the need of the research programme and to provide infrastructural support, State Government has sanctioned a scheme entitled "to established a centre of excellence in cotton" at Junagadh; for the smooth functioning of the research work on cotton.

Testing of pre released genotypes of Bt cotton developed by private companies was started from kharif-2006.

Cotton is an important cash crop next to groundnut. Gujarat is the single largest cotton producer state with 36 per cent (101 lakh bales) of the total national production from the area of 23.90 lakh hectares. Saurashtra account 70 % area of the state and contributes 66 % in the total production of the state. Average lint production of the Saurashtra is 754 kg/ha as against 718 kg/ha of the state (2006-07). Among the different districts of Gujarat, Surendranagar ranks first in total cotton production of the state (22 %), followed by Rajkot (16.6 %), Bhavnagar (15.8 %), Vadodara (7.7 %) and Amreli (7.2 %). Thus cotton is very important crop of the Saurashtra region for sustainable agricultural production.

1. Development of high yielding varietties/ hybrids of G. hirsutum cottons suitable for irrigated as well as rainfed conditions of Saurashtra region.

2. Breeding of superior varieties of tetraploid cottons (G. hirsutum) for specific characteristics viz., long to extra long staple length, high fibre strength, acceptable micronaire and early maturity couple with big boll size.

3. Development of agro technology for the tetraploid cottons viz., time of sowing, water requirement, nutrient requirement etc.

4. Development of plant protection umbrella for various pests and diseases of cotton.

5. Development of best IPM modules for tetraploid cottons in order to reduce the cost of cultivation, environmental pollution and health hazards to human beeing.

• Collection evaluation and maintenance of indigenous and exotic germplasm of Cotton.
• To generate germplasm for developing high yielding disease resistant and better grain quality varieties.
• To develop varieties of above crops having high yield potential better lint quality and resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
• Testing of newly developed genotypes under various environments to find out their suitability.
• To develop location specific production technology including harvest and post harvest technology as well as work out organic farming practices.
• Screening and testing of germplasm as well as promising material for various disease résistance and workout effective as well as economical control measures.
• To produce and distribute seed of different cotton varieties among the farmers and seed producers.

                To disseminate production technology to the farmers using by various extension tools.

Name of Scheme

Budget

Head

Type of scheme

Funding Agency

AICCIP

2009

Plan(ICAR)

ICAR 75%

State 25%

To establish a centre of excellence in cotton

10009

Plan

State Govt.

Research in agricultural chemistry and soil science

5042

Non-plant

State Govt.

Strengthening research in pulses

5009

Non-plant

State Govt.

a) Crop Improvement

i.   Strengthening of genetic resources, which includes collection, evaluation and maintenance of germplasm for making use in breeding programmes.

ii.  Development of new genetic materials for developing genotypes with high stable yield, better lint quality and resistance various biotic and abiotic stresses

iii. Testing of newly developed genotypes under various categories of trials such as PRT, PET, LST, IET and CVT etc.

iv. Seed multiplication of different varieties on large scale to cater to the need of farmers and various seed producing agencies.

v. Dissemination of the newly developed technology on the farmer's field through demonstrations.

b) Resource Management

i.    To find out the optimum harvesting time of cotton in relation to yield & quality

ii. To study the effect of integrated nutrient management in cotton.

iii.   Fertilizer and water management study in cotton.

iv.   To ascertain the suitable crop sequence based on cotton.

v.   To study the feasibility of organic farming in cotton

vi.   Assessment of ideal post harvest technology for quality production of cotton.

 

c) Crop Protection

i.    Pest and diseases survey and surveillance of cotton crop.

ii.    Screening of cotton entries for resistance against different pest and diseases.

iii.   Management of cotton blight through the application of various fungicides

(A) Plant Breeding

1. G.Cot.18 (GJHV-34) have been developed by this station and released for different production conditions in the state. It is recommended for rainfed condition in wagad zone and rainfed as well as irrigated condition for Junagadh district.

Remarks : 26.4 and 111.7% higher yield over G.Cot.10 and Deviraj.

2. Provided contribution in testing, evaluation and release of cotton varieties G.Cot–10, G.Cot–100, G.Cot–12, G.Cot–14 and hybrids G.Cot.hy-4, G.Cot.hy-6, G.Cot.hy-8, G.Cot.hy-10, G.Cot.hy-12 and G.Cot.Hy-102.

 (B) Agronomy:

1. Farmers of Junagadh dist. are advised to sow G.Cot.Hy.6 at 90 x 30 cm or 90 x 45 cm. Spacing with application of 160 kg N/ha. Of the total nitrogen 25% of nitrogen sould be applied as basal dressing and remaining 75% of nitrogen should be applied in three equal splits at an interval of one month from basal dressing. Application of phosphorus and potash is not recommended.

2 .For securing higher seed cotton yield & net realization as well as net I.C.B.R. farmers of South Saurashtra Zone – VII growing irrigated cotton G.Cot.Hy.8 are advised to sow at 90 x 30 cms. Spacing with application of 80 kg N/ha.

3. Maximum seed cotton yield, net income and ICBR was obtained by application of 10 t FYM/ha + 100 % N₂ (2147 kg/ha), Rs. 19693 /ha and 1:3.36, respectively.

 (C) Agricultural Entomology :

1. Control of pink bollworm in cotton, it is recommended to the farmers of Saurashtra region that the spraying of quinalphos @ 500 gai./ha (Quinalphos 25 EC 28 ml/10 lit. water) or spinosad @ 50 gai/ha (Spinosad 45 SC 2 ml/10 lit. water) when pest crosses the ETL (10 male moths collected in pheromone trap per day).

2. Management of pests of cotton, the following IPM strategies are recommended for cotton growing farmers of Saurashtra (ICBR 1:5.70).

(1)     Seed treatment with Imidacloprid @ 10 g/kg seeds

(2)     Hand collection of infected shoots of spotted bollworm in the early stage.

(3)     Installation of pheromone trap @ 5/ha, one week after germination to monitor the bollworm infestation.

(4)     Early release of Chrysoperla @ 10,000 eggs/larvae/ha (3 releases)

(5)     Spraying of Neem formulations @ 5 %

(6)     Release of Trichogramma @ 1.5 lakh/ha (4 relaeses)

(7)     Spraying of HNPV @ 450 LE/ha for Helicoverpa

(8)     Hand collection of eggs and larvae of Helicoverpa

(9)     Planting of maize as a intercrop (10:1), marigold and castor as a trap crop in and around the cotton

(10)   Need based application of insecticides for sucking pests and bollworms based on ETL

Seed Production:

Seed Production for the year 2007-08

The technologies developed at this research station are being discriminated to the various extension agencies, N.G.O's, farmers and students in the following ways.

• Participating in the ' Krushi Mela ', farmers days, group discussion and Agril. Exhibition organized by University or other agencies.

• Educating govt. officials in pre – seasonal training , diagnostic team visit and other training programmes

• Conducting demonstration plot and organizing field days on farmers field.

• Educating students during Kendra Nivas and to farmers during visit of this station

• Through TV, Radio broadcasting, literature, press note, personnel / spot field diagnosis and letter etc

Targets :

1.      Yield enhancement and stability in production of cotton through versatile varieties/hybrids of different maturity groups for different growing conditions

2.      Quality enhancement in relation to the demand of cotton industries.

3.      To develop input responsive varieties of cotton in for Saurashtra region.

4.      To brace up production technology of cotton that is more friendly to harsh environment in terms of sustaining and utilizing natural resources i.e biofertilizers, water and land.

Mile stone:

1.      Development of high yielding veirieties having stable performance, consumer friendly quality and toleance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

2.      Development of high yielding hybrids for Saurashtra region.

3.      Development of resources responsive varieties / hybrids of cotton

4.      Production technology for specific crop system based

5.      Identification of donors for major diseases, insect pests and quality traits.

Dr. M.D. Khanpara

Associate Research Scientist

Regional Cotton Research Station
Junagadh Agricultural University
Junagadh Dist. Junagadh-362 001 (Gujarat)(India)