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CICR
Initiative: High Density Cotton Sowing
22 September, 2013
Pictures
and Videos: Amar Singh Jyani, GS Mann, Background Music: Murari Verma.
Watch
Video: Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) Sirsa Station Initiative
High: Density Cotton Sowing. Dr D Monga Station Head CICR Sira, Dr SL Ahuja
project incharge, Dr Rishi, Farmer Raja Ram of Shahpur Begu speak about the
project.
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High-Density
Cotton Planting, is a system of cotton plantation taken up by the Central
Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) on a trial basis this year is likely to
bring an increase in the productivity of cotton in the country.
The CICR
has set up 2,600 demonstration plots, covering 37 districts of the country
under the “High-Density Planting” that involves closer spacing of cotton plants
from the present 67.5 cm (row to row) X 60 cm (plant to plant) to 67.5 cm (row
to row) X 10 cm (plant to plant).
While in
the current 67.5 cm X 60 cm system, the number of plants is 2,4691 in one
hectare, by close spacing it will change to 67.5 cm X 10 cm system. The number
of plants increases to 14,8148 in a hectare of land.
Increased
number of plants and hence bolls will lead to increased productivity of the
crop.
Twelve
such demonstration plots have been set up in seven villages of Sirsa, the
district that counts for almost 40 per cent of the cotton produced in Haryana.
“India
stands at number one in the world as far as the area under cotton is concerned
and it is second to China in the matter of total production and total export of
cotton. But, when it comes to productivity per hectare, our country stands at
the 24th position in the world with even Pakistan having better productivity,”
said Dr Dalip Monga, a Principal Scientist and Head of Sirsa-based regional
centre of the CICR.
By
adopting the “High-Density Planting” technique, farmers will be able to
increase their productivity by raising the number of plants and bolls per
hectare.
“Most of
the demonstration plots have been set up for trials in the central
and southern India, while in Sirsa, such plots have been set up in Begu,
Fatehpuria, Mohammedpuria, Rangri Khera, Sawantkhera, Bhuna and Bakrianwali
villages," said Dr Monga.
In Sirsa
DR SL Ahuja is the project co –ordinator of these trials.
Inputs
from SirsaNews
Apart from CICR Initiative similar trials are also being carried out on Bt- Cotton
under PPP. Seed companies like Nuzeeveedu, Bayer, Mahyco
Monsanto Biotech India has also conducted trials in the North central and
southern zones last year using some 60 different hybrids and the results have
been encouraging, a spokesperson said. Monsanto has reported a 13-65 per cent
rise in yields in Gujarat, while the yields were up 44 per cent in Maharashtra.
In Andhra, the yields were up by about 48 per cent, the spokesperson said.
Maintaining of vegetative growth of these plants may need the use of Plant Growth Regulators. While with Bt Cotton it means more input cost in the form of extra seed, and growth regulators, but the same will be easily offset by the much higher yield. In normal cotton varieties the cost of seed will be only marginally higher, but the cotton will be prone to pest attacks (Bollworms) to which Bt is resistant. Newer technology like Stacked
(Insect Resistant and Herbicide Tolerant) Bt+Ht Cotton have also been developed and are only waiting Govt approvals to reach the farmers.
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