Homegrown cotton seed replacing Bt variety

India's cotton exports are likely to decline this year (2016-17) to 6 million bales

The home-grown variety of Indian cotton seed is replacing the genetically modified or Bt one in the current season, claims the Union textile commissioner.

Developed by the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur, the desi variety has potential for higher yield than Bt cotton and also on weed and pest resistance, she said. Introduced early this century, Bt cotton has witnessed intermittant pest attacks; these damaged the crop in a significant way in Punjab and Haryana in 2015-16.

“Also, the desi variety is longer-staple in nature, which might replace some quantity of long-staple cotton. Thus, the desi variety offers better realisation