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CCRIS playing
vital role in evolving high yielding cotton variety
HYDERABAD-The Central
Cotton Research Institute Sakrand (CCRIS), a
multi-disciplinary mono-crop research organisation is playing
vital role in evolving high yielding cotton variety for
growers in order to further boost up the cotton production, a
key crop of the agriculture sector of the country.
The institute, which established in 1977 with objectives to
carry out basic/fundamental as well as applied research
through coordinated, integrated and collaborative research
approach on breeding and genetics, cytological, physiological,
agronomical, pathological, entomological and fibre
technological aspects of cotton plant, evolved a series of
cotton varieties in order to improve the socio-economic status
of the farmers by boosting their per acre yield.
The research recommendations and improved agro-technological
package, developed by the institute are disseminated to the
doorsteps of the farmers through close liaison between the
Institute and Agriculture Extension Wing, told to APP by Abdul
Razzaq Soomro, the senior Scientific Officer, Plant Breeding
and Genetics, CCRIS.
He said that CCRIS comprises of six research sections
including Breeding and Genetics, Cytogenetics, Agronomy,
Physiology, Entomology and Pathology, however, the Breeding
and Genetics section is the key section of the institute by
developing high yielding and early maturing varieties.Besides
improvement in lint percent, staple length and fibre strength,
the evolution of heat resistant varieties which can tolerate
hot spell of the months of June, July and August with insect
pest resistance is also the mandate of Breeding and Genetic
Section of CCRIS.
The Director, CCRIS, Dr. Barkat Ali Soomro informed that
varietal evolution process started in 1992 when the institute
evolved a high yielding variety CRIS-9. Another variety
CRIS-5A (Marvi) secured first position in Sindh province
during National Coordnated Varietal Trials (NCVT), which
conducted at 21 locations of the country from 1994 to 1996, he
said and added that the proposal of this variety was submitted
before the Variety Approval Committee, which recommended its
approval as commercial variety to Sindh Seed Council. As this
variety was not bred against Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV)
disease resistance, therefore, Sindh Seed Council deferred
this variety for want of CLCV data, he added.
He informed that CRIS-5A was a high yielding variety of Sindh
which secured first, second and first positions during 1994,
1995 and 1996 respectively among five top high yielding
varieties of the country. The three years average date of 60
locations indicated that CRIS-5A excelled two check varieties
NIAB-78 and Rehmani and other candidate varieties of Sindh and
Punjab, securing third position and proving its adaptability
in the cotton belt of Pakistan, he said.July26
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