MCRS develops cotton variety resistant to all kinds of pests

MULTAN: In a major breakthrough, the Multan Cotton Research Station (MCRS) has developed a new cotton variety having resistance against all kinds of pests.

MCRS Director Dr Saghir Ahmed Tuesday disclosed this during briefing to south Punjab Agriculture Secretary Saqib Ali on his visit to CRS. Dr Sagheer Ahmed said that after many years of hard work, trials and research a cotton variety has been developed from the native and American varieties, which is highly resistant to harmful insects.

It has higher productivity and the quality of early maturity crop, which will reduce the cost per acre also. He said one bowl of this new variety weight is 5.5 gram, which is more than the weight of the bowls of the previous varieties.

In addition, the plant grows shorter, has fewer leaves and more bowls. This variety can be grown from April to May and picking can be started early. He said that no pesticides were sprayed on the cotton crop at MCRS under IPM program. In some varieties, the resistance against genetically sucking insects is high. This year, as last year, other plant extracts, including tobacco and cod, have yielded encouraging results against whiteflies and thrips.

On the occasion, Ateel said the results of agricultural research would be fruitful only when the farmer is satisfied with it. He said fast track approval mechanism of good varieties of cotton has been set up to increase its cultivation and production.

The problem of weeds with glyphosate resistant varieties of cotton can be solved. Earlier, Ateel visited Multan Cotton Research Station and inspected research trials of different types of cotton.

On the occasion, the Secretary Agriculture expressed keen interest in the small-to-large, large bowls, heat-tolerant and short-ripening varieties available in the field trials and appreciated the research efforts of the MCRS.