**3. Maintenance and storage**

Short (working collection) and medium term storage facilities have been established at Plant Genetic Resources Institute (PGRI), NARC at Islamabad. Almost 60,000 seed samples (500 gm each) can be stored in the bank [27].

in thousands are selected from the progeny row block of the best representative families. Ginning out turn percentage and lint quality parameters are measured through high volume instrument (HVI) or conventional tools. Only the plants meeting the set standards (lint percentage=37.50%; staple length=28.00 mm; micronaire value=3.8-4.9 µg inch-1; fiber

Cotton Germplasm of Pakistan http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/58620 143

Seed from representative progenies are harvested followed by planting on bigger blocks (~ 0.5 acre). After comparing the yield and lint quality parameters of each of the progeny, families of the best progeny rows are selected for planting on bigger blocks (~10 hectares, depending upon the availability of seed). The seed harvested from the best blocks are multiplied by planting on large scale (1000s of hectares). The seed harvested from this block will make the foundation seed. It is usually accomplished at Govt Farms (preferably at seed corporation farms) or now on private sector farms under the patronage of private seed companies. This seed is exposed to another round of multiplication to raise certified seed which is disposed to farmers for raising the cotton crop. The area under each aforementioned multiplication step can be increased or reduced depending upon the demand of the seed by the farming com‐ munity. In Pakistan, 65,000 metric tons of cotton seed is needed every year for sowing on 3.2 million hectare. Of this 40-45% was provided through the formal seed sector (certified seed) until 2008. The informal seed sector, that includes farmers, breeders, and shopkeepers, are the major source of uncertified seed. Farmer-to-farmer sale is very popular among the farming community to provide seed to adjoining farms. Also the cotton growers retained a major portion of the seed produced at their own farms for planting in the next cotton growing season. In Pakistan, Plant Breeder Rights have not yet been enforced and the international seed companies, such as Monsanto, Bayer Crop Science and Biocentury, have major concerns pertaining loosing the legal protection of their products (transgenic events, varieties etc.). These are the major factors which hamper the establishment of a dynamic and robust seed

Under the umbrella of Ministry of Textile Industry, PCCC established in 1948, is considered as the prime research organization working on cotton encompassing economical, technological and agricultural research. Two main research institutes including Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan, Punjab and CCRI Sakrand, Sindh are involved in multidisciplinary research encompassing, varietal development, improvement in all kind of agronomic practi‐ ces, combating insect pest and diseases, farmer's trainings etc. Under PCCC setup, seven other research stations or sub stations are involved in conducting research in specific area—largely on varietal development in collaboration with Provincial Setup. In total, 44 cotton varieties have been evolved by PCCC (Table 2). These varieties fulfill the requirement of spinners for

strength=>92,000 lb psi) are retained for planting progeny rows.

industry in Pakistan.

**4. Funding sources**

fineness and strength.

Collection of the crop germplasm is done either by undertaking plant collecting expedition trips or collected from researcher in the country or can be obtained from foreign countries. The health status of germplasm is analyzed upon its arrival and germination and moisture content are monitored. Before getting stored drying, packing and sealing of seed are done. These all activities meet the international standards. The current facilities were acquired through collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), considering the interna‐ tional standards for seed preservation [27].

On the behalf of Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department, seeds of national approved varieties of cotton are stored at PGRI. At that time storage conditions of Pakistan Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan were not up to mark as PGRI recommendations, allowing medium term storage of genetic stock of cotton. Storage facilities for cotton germ‐ plasm at CCRI Multan have recently been established through Pak-US cotton productivity enhancement project (ID=1198). In total, ~30,000 accessions can be stored (Muhammad Idrees Khan, personal communication). This facility would help all cotton breeders for preserving their precious cotton germplasm.

In the botanical garden of CCRI, Multan, 28 cotton species of both cultivated and wild are maintained for utilizing in cotton breeding program of Pakistan. These include *G. barbosa‐ num* (B), *G. anomalum* (B1), *G. capitisviridis* (B3), *G. sturtianum* (C1), *G. nandewarense*, *G. robinso‐ nii* (C2*), G. thurberi* (D1), *G. harknessii* (D2-2), *G. aridum* (D4), *G. gossypioides* (D6), *G. lobatum* (D7), *G. trilobum* (D8), *G. laxum* (D9), *G. stocksii* (E1), *G. somalense* (E2), *G. areysianum* (E3), *G.incanum* (E4), *G. longicalyx* (F1), *G. bickii*(G1), *G. nelsonii* (G3). All these belong to diploid wild species. Whereas, *G. tomentosum* 2 (AD)3, *G. mustelinum* 2(AD)4*, G. lanceolatum* 2(AD)4 and *G. darwinii* 2(AD)5 are found to belong from tetraploid wild species. Five *G. hirsutum* L. races viz. *latifolium, puncatum, morrilli, palmeri and marie-glante;* one *G. barbadense* L. race *braziliense* (kidney cotton); 13 diploid and 5 tetraploid hybrids; 5 triploid and 2 hexaploid hybrids; 3 pentaploid hybrids and 5 tri and 1 tetra species combinations are also maintained. In total, 62 grafts of out-standing *Gossypium* species and species hybrids were prepared for propagation purpose. These grafts were preserved under green house facility of CCRI Multan.

Though a varietal development procedure in Pakistan ensures enough purity, however, every year variants have been observed in the progenies of a variety developed through single plant selection because of limited natural cross pollination (up to 5%). Sometime, mutation and or mixing of seed during ginning process also contributes very small fraction to exaggerate the problem. In Pakistan, it has been observed that strict rouging is mandatory for maintaining the distinguished features of the variety every year, otherwise after three years the variety would appear like a mixture. In Pakistan, usually the maintenance work has been accom‐ plished so far at the respective breeding center of the variety. Representative plants preferably in thousands are selected from the progeny row block of the best representative families. Ginning out turn percentage and lint quality parameters are measured through high volume instrument (HVI) or conventional tools. Only the plants meeting the set standards (lint percentage=37.50%; staple length=28.00 mm; micronaire value=3.8-4.9 µg inch-1; fiber strength=>92,000 lb psi) are retained for planting progeny rows.

Seed from representative progenies are harvested followed by planting on bigger blocks (~ 0.5 acre). After comparing the yield and lint quality parameters of each of the progeny, families of the best progeny rows are selected for planting on bigger blocks (~10 hectares, depending upon the availability of seed). The seed harvested from the best blocks are multiplied by planting on large scale (1000s of hectares). The seed harvested from this block will make the foundation seed. It is usually accomplished at Govt Farms (preferably at seed corporation farms) or now on private sector farms under the patronage of private seed companies. This seed is exposed to another round of multiplication to raise certified seed which is disposed to farmers for raising the cotton crop. The area under each aforementioned multiplication step can be increased or reduced depending upon the demand of the seed by the farming com‐ munity. In Pakistan, 65,000 metric tons of cotton seed is needed every year for sowing on 3.2 million hectare. Of this 40-45% was provided through the formal seed sector (certified seed) until 2008. The informal seed sector, that includes farmers, breeders, and shopkeepers, are the major source of uncertified seed. Farmer-to-farmer sale is very popular among the farming community to provide seed to adjoining farms. Also the cotton growers retained a major portion of the seed produced at their own farms for planting in the next cotton growing season. In Pakistan, Plant Breeder Rights have not yet been enforced and the international seed companies, such as Monsanto, Bayer Crop Science and Biocentury, have major concerns pertaining loosing the legal protection of their products (transgenic events, varieties etc.). These are the major factors which hamper the establishment of a dynamic and robust seed industry in Pakistan.

#### **4. Funding sources**

**3. Maintenance and storage**

142 World Cotton Germplasm Resources

each) can be stored in the bank [27].

tional standards for seed preservation [27].

their precious cotton germplasm.

were preserved under green house facility of CCRI Multan.

Short (working collection) and medium term storage facilities have been established at Plant Genetic Resources Institute (PGRI), NARC at Islamabad. Almost 60,000 seed samples (500 gm

Collection of the crop germplasm is done either by undertaking plant collecting expedition trips or collected from researcher in the country or can be obtained from foreign countries. The health status of germplasm is analyzed upon its arrival and germination and moisture content are monitored. Before getting stored drying, packing and sealing of seed are done. These all activities meet the international standards. The current facilities were acquired through collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), considering the interna‐

On the behalf of Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department, seeds of national approved varieties of cotton are stored at PGRI. At that time storage conditions of Pakistan Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan were not up to mark as PGRI recommendations, allowing medium term storage of genetic stock of cotton. Storage facilities for cotton germ‐ plasm at CCRI Multan have recently been established through Pak-US cotton productivity enhancement project (ID=1198). In total, ~30,000 accessions can be stored (Muhammad Idrees Khan, personal communication). This facility would help all cotton breeders for preserving

In the botanical garden of CCRI, Multan, 28 cotton species of both cultivated and wild are maintained for utilizing in cotton breeding program of Pakistan. These include *G. barbosa‐ num* (B), *G. anomalum* (B1), *G. capitisviridis* (B3), *G. sturtianum* (C1), *G. nandewarense*, *G. robinso‐ nii* (C2*), G. thurberi* (D1), *G. harknessii* (D2-2), *G. aridum* (D4), *G. gossypioides* (D6), *G. lobatum* (D7), *G. trilobum* (D8), *G. laxum* (D9), *G. stocksii* (E1), *G. somalense* (E2), *G. areysianum* (E3), *G.incanum* (E4), *G. longicalyx* (F1), *G. bickii*(G1), *G. nelsonii* (G3). All these belong to diploid wild species. Whereas, *G. tomentosum* 2 (AD)3, *G. mustelinum* 2(AD)4*, G. lanceolatum* 2(AD)4 and *G. darwinii* 2(AD)5 are found to belong from tetraploid wild species. Five *G. hirsutum* L. races viz. *latifolium, puncatum, morrilli, palmeri and marie-glante;* one *G. barbadense* L. race *braziliense* (kidney cotton); 13 diploid and 5 tetraploid hybrids; 5 triploid and 2 hexaploid hybrids; 3 pentaploid hybrids and 5 tri and 1 tetra species combinations are also maintained. In total, 62 grafts of out-standing *Gossypium* species and species hybrids were prepared for propagation purpose. These grafts

Though a varietal development procedure in Pakistan ensures enough purity, however, every year variants have been observed in the progenies of a variety developed through single plant selection because of limited natural cross pollination (up to 5%). Sometime, mutation and or mixing of seed during ginning process also contributes very small fraction to exaggerate the problem. In Pakistan, it has been observed that strict rouging is mandatory for maintaining the distinguished features of the variety every year, otherwise after three years the variety would appear like a mixture. In Pakistan, usually the maintenance work has been accom‐ plished so far at the respective breeding center of the variety. Representative plants preferably

Under the umbrella of Ministry of Textile Industry, PCCC established in 1948, is considered as the prime research organization working on cotton encompassing economical, technological and agricultural research. Two main research institutes including Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan, Punjab and CCRI Sakrand, Sindh are involved in multidisciplinary research encompassing, varietal development, improvement in all kind of agronomic practi‐ ces, combating insect pest and diseases, farmer's trainings etc. Under PCCC setup, seven other research stations or sub stations are involved in conducting research in specific area—largely on varietal development in collaboration with Provincial Setup. In total, 44 cotton varieties have been evolved by PCCC (Table 2). These varieties fulfill the requirement of spinners for fineness and strength.


The establishment of Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB) as an autonomous body under PARB Act, 1997 for fostering an integrated approach for research planning and efficient allotment of research resource so that the agriculture innovation system of the province can generate appropriate solutions of the issues faced to various stakeholders in the food and fiber chain [28]. The vision of the PARB is to support scientific innovations for the prosperity of Agricultural Stakeholders in Punjab. Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL, desolved after 18th amendment) was also remained actively involved in improving agricul‐

Cotton Germplasm of Pakistan http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/58620 145

Presently, a project on cotton productivity enhancement has been initiated by the generous support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service; under agree‐ ment No.58-6402-0-178F (operating through ICARDA Pakistan). Major theme of the project revolves around the characterization of the various viral strains, screening of US cotton germplasm in Pakistan, transferring of new sources of resistance into adapted varieties of

A project "Sustainable Control of the Cotton Bollworm, *Helicoverpa armigera*, in Small-scale Cotton Production systems" was sponsored by the Common Fund for Commodities to be executed by China, India, Pakistan and UK. The overall objective of the project was to develop, apply, and disseminate cropping systems and pest management practices for cost-effective and sustainable control of the cotton bollworm *Helicoverpa armigera*. The project aimed to build on existing knowledge and experiences for the further development of efficient methods, resulting in substantially reduced uses of hazardous pesticides and increased profitability for

In Pakistan, germplasm (conventional) can be shared for utilizing in local cotton breeding programs without imposing any kind of restriction. However, for utilizing in breeding program outside the country, one must get permission from the developer provided the venture is commercially driven. However, two organizations like NIBGE and CEMB are involved in the introduction of alien genes through utilizing genetic engineering approaches. In this regard, for example, CEMB has restricted the utilization of its material through signing MTAs with the private seed companies. Similarly, these two organization also got their novel genes patented (national and or internationally) which itself restrict the use of the genetic

Since 1992, Pakistan is signatory to UN convention on biological diversity (CBD), ITPGRA, and International Technical Conference on Plant genetic Resources, Lipzig, Germany. Thus country grant permission for accessing PGR on jointly agreed provisions subjected to pre informed approval of contracting bodies. Also, the contracting bodies are supposed to share the results of research and developments and the benefits that are achieved by exploring such

tural studies in Pakistan by providing funds.

Pakistan, etc. [29].

cotton producers.

**5. Sharing**

material.

¥=Ginning out turn percentage; **€**=Thousand pounds per square inch

**Source:** Dr. Akhlaq Hussain, Description of cotton varieties of Pakistan 2004, Cotton Research and development Memoranda till 60's (Ed. Dr. Mahbub Ali), approval documents of cotton varieties released after 2004 and personal communication with breeders of the cotton varieties.

**Table 2.** List of approved *G. hirsutum* L. (upland cotton) varieties (non-GM) for Sindh

The establishment of Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB) as an autonomous body under PARB Act, 1997 for fostering an integrated approach for research planning and efficient allotment of research resource so that the agriculture innovation system of the province can generate appropriate solutions of the issues faced to various stakeholders in the food and fiber chain [28]. The vision of the PARB is to support scientific innovations for the prosperity of Agricultural Stakeholders in Punjab. Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL, desolved after 18th amendment) was also remained actively involved in improving agricul‐ tural studies in Pakistan by providing funds.

Presently, a project on cotton productivity enhancement has been initiated by the generous support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service; under agree‐ ment No.58-6402-0-178F (operating through ICARDA Pakistan). Major theme of the project revolves around the characterization of the various viral strains, screening of US cotton germplasm in Pakistan, transferring of new sources of resistance into adapted varieties of Pakistan, etc. [29].

A project "Sustainable Control of the Cotton Bollworm, *Helicoverpa armigera*, in Small-scale Cotton Production systems" was sponsored by the Common Fund for Commodities to be executed by China, India, Pakistan and UK. The overall objective of the project was to develop, apply, and disseminate cropping systems and pest management practices for cost-effective and sustainable control of the cotton bollworm *Helicoverpa armigera*. The project aimed to build on existing knowledge and experiences for the further development of efficient methods, resulting in substantially reduced uses of hazardous pesticides and increased profitability for cotton producers.
