ISLAMABAD, Dec 2 (APP): Scientists at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) are working on five new cotton varieties that can survive temperatures of up to 47\u00b0C, offering a possible shift for farmers struggling with climate pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The research is part of a wider effort to revive cotton production, which has been declining due to extreme heat, erratic weather, pests, and disease, said a press release issued here on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CCRI officials said the new varieties aim to help growers in the plains of Punjab, where temperatures during the sowing and fruiting stages often exceed levels that current crops can tolerate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sajid Mahmood, Head of Technology Transfer at CCRI Multan, told Wealth Pakistan that the work focuses on heat and drought tolerance as well as resistance to major pests and diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the institute has already developed Bt Cyto-511, a variety that has gained quick acceptance in Punjab for maintaining performance even at 45\u00b0C. The next set of varieties is being designed to survive up to 47\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other varieties produced by the CCRI so far include Bt CIM-775, Cyto-537 and CIM-343. These triple-gene types are built to handle climate stress, fend off multiple bollworms, tolerate drought and allow the use of specific herbicides for better weed control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mahmood noted that shifting weather patterns have altered Punjab\u2019s sowing window. A decade ago, cotton was planted soon after wheat harvest in late April. But now, temperatures from 40\u00b0C to 47\u00b0C in May have caused many crops to lose flowers and bolls before they form. \u201cOur priority is to develop seed that can hold fruit even under severe heat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond heat-tolerant varieties, CCRI scientists are also working on extra-long staple cotton\u2014up to 34 millimeters\u2014and naturally colored cotton in brown, green and blue. However, farmers have avoided these options because of lower yields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Funding constraints have long affected cotton research, but Mahmood said the situation is improving after an agreement between the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) and the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA). The deal requires textile mills to clear outstanding cotton cess payments, which help finance the CCRI in Multan and Sakrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
APTMA Secretary General Punjab, Raza Baqir, said mills have been paying Rs50 per 170-kg bale in cess for decades and are now settling arrears under the July agreement with the PCCC. He said the contribution, though small, supports ongoing research.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, Dec 2 (APP): Scientists at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) are working on five new cotton varieties that can survive temperatures of up to 47\u00b0C, offering a possible shift for farmers struggling with climate pressure. The research is part of a wider effort to revive cotton production, which has been declining due to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":31504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[373],"tags":[1017],"class_list":["post-31492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","tag-pakistan-developing-five-heat-tolerant-varieties-for-47c-conditions"],"yoast_head":"\n