**3. Cotton germplasm at public institutes**

Genetic improvement of cotton for higher yield, superior fibre quality, improved agronomic performance and resistance to pest and diseases is the important research agenda in several agricultural Universities and institutes in India. Collection, storage, maintenance and utiliza‐ tion of cotton germplasm activities in the key institutes are described hereunder:

#### **3.1. CICR, Nagpur**

With a view to develop a centre of excellence for carrying out long term research on funda‐ mental problems limiting cotton production and also to provide support to research work on cotton, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has established the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) at Nagpur in April, 1976. The National Centre for Cotton Genetic Resources, which was re-designated as National Cotton Gene Bank, has been established at CICR, Nagpur as *in situ* species garden.

This bank contains totally 10227 accessions including 7484 accessions of *G. hirsutum*, 263 *G. barbadense*, 1877 *G. arboreum*, 530 *G. herbaceum*, 26 wild species, 32 perennials and 15 races of cultivated species and cytogenetic materials. This is one among the globally recognized centres that maintain large collections of cotton germplasm [2]. According to the genomic groupings, germplasm accessions have organized as primary germplasm pools (comprising germplasm accessions with AD genomes), secondary germplasm pools (including germplasm accessions with A, B, F and D genomes) and tertiary germplasm pools (containing germplasm lines with C, G, K and E genomes) [2, 3]. Each pool contains current and obsolete cultivars, breeding stocks, primitive and wild accessions, land races and subspecies. In accordance with the international board of plant genetic resources, the cotton germplasm has been further classified into core collections and working / active collections. The latter are elite stocks of cultivated species and selected cytoplasmic male sterile derived lines that are actively used in breeding and genetic studies. Germplasm banks were also established under AICCIP in important cotton research centres such as Delhi, Surat, Indore, Akola, Nanded, Nandyal and Coimbatore. Few cytomorphologically stable male sterile plants have been identified from the derivatives of multispecies hybrids involving wild species *G. raimondii, G. thurberi, G. hirsutum* and *G. barbadense*. One hundred and thirty seven *harknessii* cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines, 15 *aridum* CMS lines, 19 genetic male sterile (GMS) lines and 57 restorer lines are being maintained through crossing, sibmating and selfing at CICR. For genetic improvement of CMS and GMS lines, they were treated with physical (gamma rays) and chemical mutagen (ethyl methane sulphonate) and being maintained [16].

Desi cotton species have originated in India, particularly the three geographical races of *G. arboreum* L. namely *bengalense, cernuum* and *indicum* and of *G. herbaceum* L. race *wightianum*. Excavations of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa have shown that cloth of finest quality of about 300 counts was produced from the *G. arboreum*. Such perennial cotton possesses variability in useful traits like fibre, pest resistance and abiotic stress tolerance. CICR has taken initiative to collect and conserve the landraces of desi cotton and perennials with desirable characters from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The important cotton landraces like *Ponduru, Karuganni, Commilla, Uppam* and *Wagad* were collected from different states of India [17].

Seeds of 1517 *G. hirsutum* including 289 exotics and 350 accessions of *G. arboreum* are being maintained at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi under long term cold storage, while another set of the same germplasm is being kept in medium term cold storage at CICR, Nagpur. Further, three genetic stocks of *G. arboreum* race *cernuum* immune to grey mildew disease have also been stored at NBPGR, New Delhi.

The germplasm accessions available in the gene bank are regularly being evaluated for major economic characters such as high yield, high boll weight, high ginning out turn and lower maturity period besides their reaction to major pests and diseases. Similarly, the new germ‐ plasm lines received every year are also evaluated for a set of agronomic and economic characters. The selected superior accessions will be further evaluated in multi-locations and provided to regional breeding program after validating their usefulness.

#### **3.2. CCS-HAU, Hisar**

Uganda) series which formed the basis of all cotton improvement programs in Tamil Nadu

India is the first country to grow hybrid cotton on a commercial scale since the 1970s. During those periods, hybrid seeds were produced by hand emasculation and pollination and the first intra-*hirsutum* hybrid, Hybrid-4, were released from Gujarat Agricultural University, Surat, India in 1971. In subsequent years, it covered 26.8 percent of the total cotton cultivated area in India and contributed 50 percent of the national cotton production [6]. Considering the importance of hybrids in Indian cotton scenario and its market potential in abroad, several hybrids were released such as Varalaxmi, DCH 32 in successive years. In Tamil Nadu, TCHB213 an inter-specific hybrid with high yield potential with superior qualities (such as high elongation percentage that fit to hosiery, resistant to reiniform nematodes and spinning

Genetic improvement of cotton for higher yield, superior fibre quality, improved agronomic performance and resistance to pest and diseases is the important research agenda in several agricultural Universities and institutes in India. Collection, storage, maintenance and utiliza‐

With a view to develop a centre of excellence for carrying out long term research on funda‐ mental problems limiting cotton production and also to provide support to research work on cotton, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has established the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) at Nagpur in April, 1976. The National Centre for Cotton Genetic Resources, which was re-designated as National Cotton Gene Bank, has been established at

This bank contains totally 10227 accessions including 7484 accessions of *G. hirsutum*, 263 *G. barbadense*, 1877 *G. arboreum*, 530 *G. herbaceum*, 26 wild species, 32 perennials and 15 races of cultivated species and cytogenetic materials. This is one among the globally recognized centres that maintain large collections of cotton germplasm [2]. According to the genomic groupings, germplasm accessions have organized as primary germplasm pools (comprising germplasm accessions with AD genomes), secondary germplasm pools (including germplasm accessions with A, B, F and D genomes) and tertiary germplasm pools (containing germplasm lines with C, G, K and E genomes) [2, 3]. Each pool contains current and obsolete cultivars, breeding stocks, primitive and wild accessions, land races and subspecies. In accordance with the international board of plant genetic resources, the cotton germplasm has been further classified into core collections and working / active collections. The latter are elite stocks of cultivated species and selected cytoplasmic male sterile derived lines that are actively used in breeding and genetic studies. Germplasm banks were also established under AICCIP in important cotton research centres such as Delhi, Surat, Indore, Akola, Nanded, Nandyal and Coimbatore.

tion of cotton germplasm activities in the key institutes are described hereunder:

and other parts of South India [12].

122 World Cotton Germplasm Resources

capacity of 100s counts etc.,) was released in 1990.

**3. Cotton germplasm at public institutes**

CICR, Nagpur as *in situ* species garden.

**3.1. CICR, Nagpur**

Evaluation and maintenance of American and Desi cotton germplasm is mandate of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Thirty five genetic male sterile lines have been developed in *G. arboreum* (and six genetic male sterile lines of cotton have been registered with NBPGR, New Delhi) and forty four genetic male sterile lines and forty three cytoplasmic genetic male sterile lines have been developed in *G. hirsutum*. Besides these lines, 55 potential restorers and a large collection of landraces have also been identified and maintained at this University.

#### **3.3. TNAU, Coimbatore**

At TNAU, Coimbatore, 1012 accessions of *G. hirsutum,* 149 accessions of *G. barbadense* and wild species of *G. aridum* and *G. hirsutum* race *punctatum* are being maintained and routinely evaluated and used in regional breeding program. Genetic improvement of cotton for improved drought tolerance, pest and disease resistance with better fibre quality traits are being taken up with help of contemporary breeding tools (see below). TNAU's Collaboration with national and international institutes ensured introgression of novel alleles from exotic and other donors.

metroglyph analysis, D2

variety, Karnak in 1969 [3].

analysis and combining ability have been done on elite germplasm

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125

lines to study the genetic diversity and use the most diverse ones in the breeding programs. There are large variations available in the germplasm for yield attributes, plant traits, flower characteristics, fibre characteristics, oil characteristics, biomass characteristics, leaf character‐ istics, boll characteristics, seedling characteristics, boll and seed setting efficiency. Several wild species and cultivated species have been utilized to improve the *G. hirsutum* genotypes and bring about both quantitative and qualitative changes in the commercial cultivars [3]. For example, introgression of *G. hirsutum* genes into *G. arboreum* genotype has been successfully attempted at Parphani and Dharwad centres. Similarly, *G. anomalum* genes have been intro‐ gressed into *G. arboreum* at Akola. In the same way, *G. aridum* has been successfully utilized in the development of new source of cytoplasmic male sterile lines at Akola and Coimbatore [3]. The germplasm accessions assembled from several parts of the world have also been utilized in India. For instance, Hybrid 4 was developed using the American Nectariless accession. The *G. harknesii* cytoplasm conferring male sterility in *G. hirsutum* genotypes and the restorer genes for *G. harknesii* conferring fertility has been successfully transferred to Indian genotypes and they were utilized for development of cotton hybrids such as PKV Hyb-3. Likewise, *G. aridum* cytoplasm was also utilized to diversify the cytoplasmic male sterility source in several hybrids. Development of varieties such as Deviraj and Devitej (derived from *G. arboreum* and *G. herbaceum*) and MCU5 (derived from *G. hirsutum* and *G. barbadense*) were the result of pioneering research on introgression of favourable alleles from the related species into the elite lines. Similarly, introgression of *G. arboreum* into *G. hirsutum* varieties has resulted in the development of new jassid resistant varieties in *G. hirsutum*. Introduction of *G. barbadense* germplasm in the country as well as their systematic evaluation resulted in the development and release of first *G. barbadense* variety Sujatha by a process of reselection from an Egyptian

In upland cotton, *G. hirsutum*, variety MCU 5 VT resistant to Verticillum wilt was released from CICR, Coimbatore. In *G. arboreum* and *G. herbaceum*, all the varieties released after 1967 are resistant to Fusarium wilt. In *G. hirsutum*, some jassid resistant varieties (B 1007, SRT 1, Khandwa 2, DHY 286, PKV 081) and hybrids (PKV hy2 and NHH 44) have also been released. Specific varieties and hybrids with wide adaptability have also been released from 1970 onwards. Examples of wide adaptable varieties are Bikaneri Narma, MCU 5, SRT 1 and LRA 5166. Variety Bikaneri Narma was developed in Punjab, which has later cultivated in Haryana, Rajasthan and Northern Madhya Pradesh due to its wide adaptability. By the same token, Variety SRT 1 was released initially for Gujarat; now it is also popular in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, varieties MCU 5 and LRA 5166 released for Tamil Nadu, now cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh by virtue of their wide adaptability. Hybrid H 4 was released for Gujarat state; because of its wide adaptation it spread to other states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Similarly, hybrid DCH 32 (Jayalaxmi) was released for Karnataka state, but due to its wide

adaptability it spread to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Western Maharashtra.

The AICCIP has notified more than 220 cotton varieties and hybrids in 2004 that were released for commercial cultivation with different features such as short and medium duration, leaf

#### **3.4. UAS, Dharwad**

Besides conserving large numbers of *G. hirsutum and G. barbadense* accessions*,* Regional Research Station – University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad maintains several cultures of *G. arboreum* and *G. arboreum* genotypes introgressed with *G. hirsutum* genes. Notable examples in this aspect are cultures DLSA 17 and 19 that are having improved fibre qualities and tolerance to cotton pest and diseases.

#### **3.5. PAU, Ludhiana**

An exhaustive germplasm collection, storage and maintenance of several *Gossypium* spp., for fibre yield and superior quality parameters and tolerance to cotton leaf curl virus disease is also in progress at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and they are regularly being utilized in cotton breeding program.

#### **3.6. Role of AICCIP in germplasm evolution, evaluation and conservation**

Launching of All India Co-ordinated Cotton Improvement Program (AICCIP) in 1966 funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi has been considered as the milestone in cotton genetic improvement efforts in India. The AICCIP in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities made tremendous achievements in cotton production during the last five decades. This program has the following three important mandates: 1) to develop genotypes suitable for different agro-climatic conditions 2) to develop manuals to maximize yield from improved genotypes and 3) to develop effective and economic plant protection measures for location-specific strategies for integrated biotic stress management.

Currently, the AICCIP is in operation with its headquarters at Coimbatore and spread over 21 participating centres involving 16 State Agricultural Universities. They are marked as North (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan), Central (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Orissa) and South Zones (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) [3]. The CICR, Nagpur and its Regional Stations at Coimbatore and Sirsa provide basic research support and also take part in some of the strategic research and evaluation activities on Cotton. The Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT, ICAR), Mumbai and its regional units are closely associated with AICCIP in assessing the fibre quality parameters of cotton cultures under trial. Major activities of the AICCIP include the evolution of novel varieties and hybrids best suited for different agro‐climatic zones, development of sustainable and inexpensive agro-techniques for realizing maximum yields from improved cultivars with economic and effective pest and disease management practices under different environmental conditions.

Numerous agronomical, physiological as well as pest and disease resistance attributes have been studied in detail in the germplasm accessions under AICCIP. Subjective tests like metroglyph analysis, D2 analysis and combining ability have been done on elite germplasm lines to study the genetic diversity and use the most diverse ones in the breeding programs. There are large variations available in the germplasm for yield attributes, plant traits, flower characteristics, fibre characteristics, oil characteristics, biomass characteristics, leaf character‐ istics, boll characteristics, seedling characteristics, boll and seed setting efficiency. Several wild species and cultivated species have been utilized to improve the *G. hirsutum* genotypes and bring about both quantitative and qualitative changes in the commercial cultivars [3]. For example, introgression of *G. hirsutum* genes into *G. arboreum* genotype has been successfully attempted at Parphani and Dharwad centres. Similarly, *G. anomalum* genes have been intro‐ gressed into *G. arboreum* at Akola. In the same way, *G. aridum* has been successfully utilized in the development of new source of cytoplasmic male sterile lines at Akola and Coimbatore [3].

improved drought tolerance, pest and disease resistance with better fibre quality traits are being taken up with help of contemporary breeding tools (see below). TNAU's Collaboration with national and international institutes ensured introgression of novel alleles from exotic

Besides conserving large numbers of *G. hirsutum and G. barbadense* accessions*,* Regional Research Station – University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad maintains several cultures of *G. arboreum* and *G. arboreum* genotypes introgressed with *G. hirsutum* genes. Notable examples in this aspect are cultures DLSA 17 and 19 that are having improved fibre qualities and

An exhaustive germplasm collection, storage and maintenance of several *Gossypium* spp., for fibre yield and superior quality parameters and tolerance to cotton leaf curl virus disease is also in progress at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and they are regularly being

Launching of All India Co-ordinated Cotton Improvement Program (AICCIP) in 1966 funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi has been considered as the milestone in cotton genetic improvement efforts in India. The AICCIP in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities made tremendous achievements in cotton production during the last five decades. This program has the following three important mandates: 1) to develop genotypes suitable for different agro-climatic conditions 2) to develop manuals to maximize yield from improved genotypes and 3) to develop effective and economic plant protection

Currently, the AICCIP is in operation with its headquarters at Coimbatore and spread over 21 participating centres involving 16 State Agricultural Universities. They are marked as North (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan), Central (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Orissa) and South Zones (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) [3]. The CICR, Nagpur and its Regional Stations at Coimbatore and Sirsa provide basic research support and also take part in some of the strategic research and evaluation activities on Cotton. The Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT, ICAR), Mumbai and its regional units are closely associated with AICCIP in assessing the fibre quality parameters of cotton cultures under trial. Major activities of the AICCIP include the evolution of novel varieties and hybrids best suited for different agro‐climatic zones, development of sustainable and inexpensive agro-techniques for realizing maximum yields from improved cultivars with economic and effective pest and

Numerous agronomical, physiological as well as pest and disease resistance attributes have been studied in detail in the germplasm accessions under AICCIP. Subjective tests like

**3.6. Role of AICCIP in germplasm evolution, evaluation and conservation**

measures for location-specific strategies for integrated biotic stress management.

disease management practices under different environmental conditions.

and other donors.

124 World Cotton Germplasm Resources

**3.4. UAS, Dharwad**

**3.5. PAU, Ludhiana**

tolerance to cotton pest and diseases.

utilized in cotton breeding program.

The germplasm accessions assembled from several parts of the world have also been utilized in India. For instance, Hybrid 4 was developed using the American Nectariless accession. The *G. harknesii* cytoplasm conferring male sterility in *G. hirsutum* genotypes and the restorer genes for *G. harknesii* conferring fertility has been successfully transferred to Indian genotypes and they were utilized for development of cotton hybrids such as PKV Hyb-3. Likewise, *G. aridum* cytoplasm was also utilized to diversify the cytoplasmic male sterility source in several hybrids. Development of varieties such as Deviraj and Devitej (derived from *G. arboreum* and *G. herbaceum*) and MCU5 (derived from *G. hirsutum* and *G. barbadense*) were the result of pioneering research on introgression of favourable alleles from the related species into the elite lines. Similarly, introgression of *G. arboreum* into *G. hirsutum* varieties has resulted in the development of new jassid resistant varieties in *G. hirsutum*. Introduction of *G. barbadense* germplasm in the country as well as their systematic evaluation resulted in the development and release of first *G. barbadense* variety Sujatha by a process of reselection from an Egyptian variety, Karnak in 1969 [3].

In upland cotton, *G. hirsutum*, variety MCU 5 VT resistant to Verticillum wilt was released from CICR, Coimbatore. In *G. arboreum* and *G. herbaceum*, all the varieties released after 1967 are resistant to Fusarium wilt. In *G. hirsutum*, some jassid resistant varieties (B 1007, SRT 1, Khandwa 2, DHY 286, PKV 081) and hybrids (PKV hy2 and NHH 44) have also been released.

Specific varieties and hybrids with wide adaptability have also been released from 1970 onwards. Examples of wide adaptable varieties are Bikaneri Narma, MCU 5, SRT 1 and LRA 5166. Variety Bikaneri Narma was developed in Punjab, which has later cultivated in Haryana, Rajasthan and Northern Madhya Pradesh due to its wide adaptability. By the same token, Variety SRT 1 was released initially for Gujarat; now it is also popular in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, varieties MCU 5 and LRA 5166 released for Tamil Nadu, now cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh by virtue of their wide adaptability. Hybrid H 4 was released for Gujarat state; because of its wide adaptation it spread to other states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Similarly, hybrid DCH 32 (Jayalaxmi) was released for Karnataka state, but due to its wide adaptability it spread to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Western Maharashtra.

The AICCIP has notified more than 220 cotton varieties and hybrids in 2004 that were released for commercial cultivation with different features such as short and medium duration, leaf curl virus disease resistance, jassid resistance, suitable for rainfed tracts, resistance to Verti‐ cillium wilt etc., On the other hand, during 2002, the AICCIP has recommended to de-notify 99 varieties and hybrids that are no longer under cultivation or that are inferior in fibre properties [3].

of *Bt* cotton in India, which confers resistance to key lepidopteron insect pests of cotton, there has been an incredible increase in the cotton production. India cultivated a record 11.0 million hectares of *Bt* cotton in 2013 with an adoption rate of 95% [14]. There is substantial evidence that the adoption of *Bt* cotton provides economic benefits from increased yields due to limited damage from the bollworm pest complex [American bollworm (*Helicoverpa armigera* Hubner) in particular and other bollworms such as spotted (*Earias vittella* Fab.), spiny (*E. insulana* Boisd.) and the pink (*Pectinophora gossypiella* Saunders), in general] and reducing costs through lower

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127

In point of fact, *Bt* cotton developed in India is a combination of transgenic and hybrid technologies. *G. hirsutum* represents 90% of the hybrid cotton in India and almost all the current *Bt* cotton hybrids are *G. hirsutum*. The embedded *Bt* gene acts as an *in situ* biological pesticide factory and hence avoid the need for any chemical spray for the suppression of the lepidop‐ teron pests. In order to have maximum effect of *Bt* gene, the host genotype (one of the parent of the hybrid) chosen from the existing stock of hybrids that have a strong yield potential and

On the other hand, release and widespread usage of *Bt* cotton hybrid has resulted a specific bottleneck. The popular Indian cotton varieties such as LRA 5166, LRK 516, MCU 5, MCU 5 VT, SVPR 2, AKA 081, AKA 7, AKA 8, GCot 11, GCot 13, PA 225, RG 8, Sahana and Surabhi (to cite a few) that were cultivated even in the marginal or low-input supplied regions, have become almost extinct after the introduction of *Bt* cotton hybrids. Undeniably, a *Bt* version of these varieties would have been a benefit for resource-poor regions which cannot be provided by hybrids since they require higher inputs and costlier management practices. Further, fortifying such varieites with drought resistance and fibre quality traits has immense benefits for the Indian farmers, since > 60% of the cotton cultivation is under rainfed conditions (where water availability to the crop growth is always uncertain and water stress can occur anytime during the cropping period that greatly affects the fibre yield and quality). The best national average yield of 17000 Kg seed cotton/ha (with almost the whole crop area being under *Bt* hybrids), seems to be insignificance when many countries harvest about 50000–60000 Kg/ha seed cotton as national average through straight varieties [15]. Thus, there is a great scope for genetic improvement of cotton especially the elite varieties, by utilizing the available rich

There are several national and multinational seed companies in India that focus on breeding, development and commercialization of cotton hybrids, including Bt and other beneficial genes. The cotton plant has been transformed with variety of genes expressing different traits such as insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, drought tolerance, improved fibre quality etc. However, only insect resistance genes have been approved, either individually and/or stacked in various combinations, for commercial cultivation. Each private sector has their own germplasm and breeding materials (since they are under propriety right protection, such

popular acceptance (in terms of acreage) of its non-Bt version.

**5. Cotton germplasm in private sectors**

use levels of insecticide [15].

germplasm.

The problems that impede utilization of germplasm for breeding include photosensitivity, mismatching of blooming period, low fertility index, etc. There is a need for rapid screening of geographically diverse germplasm for useful traits such as low cost technology proposed at CICR, Nagpur for rapid evaluation of germplasm for photo-sensitivity [18]. Equally, genetical studies have been often limited mainly to yield contributing characters and fibre properties and a very little work has been reported on seed oil improvement in cotton. Nevertheless, wide range of genetic variability has been reported (15-33%) for seed oil content in global collection of in Indian germplasm collections [19].

In the recently conducted AICCIP meeting, the breeders are requested to submit two packets of 100 g seeds (in case of varieties) in addition to the number of locations finalized in the panel for long term storage of elite breeding materials. In the panel, detailed discussion was also held for promoting the entries from national trials to the zonal trials. So far, the entries are promoted on the basis of zonal mean to the corresponding zone. It is proposed to promote entries on the basis of 'agro-ecological subzone', henceforth. The draft proposal will be circulated among the breeders and based on the consensus the proposal will be submitted to ICAR, New Delhi for further directives. Detailed discussion was also held on formulating certain index based on seed cotton yield, lint yield, 2.5% span length and bundle strength for promoting the entries from national to zonal trials.

In India, various Transfer of Technology (TOT) programs in cotton have been implemented underlining the importance of problem solving, creating effective scientists and farmers linkage and transferring the latest cotton production technologies to the production line. 'Front Line Demonstration (FLD)' is one of the TOT programs which created remarkable impact on cotton production and facilitated excellent scientist‐farmer linkage for the effective transfer of latest cotton protection technologies. In addition to this, the AICCIP is also actively involved in FLDs on improved technologies and organising Kisan Melas (Farmer's day) for effective and speedy dissemination of newer production technologies among farmers. During the year 2012‐13, FLDs on cotton production technology and FLDs on cotton integrated pest manage‐ ment (IPM) were conducted by 13 AICCIP centres. The main emphasis was given to the demonstrations for enhancing the production of cotton in low productivity areas / problematic areas with improved package of practices. In addition, the cotton breeder seed production and implementation of "Special Component Plan for Scheduled Caste" and "Tribal Sub Plan for Scheduled Tribes" are also monitored through the AICCIP.

## **4.** *Bt* **cotton**

The development and commercial cultivation of *Bt* cotton hybrid in 2002 is a revolutionary landmark in Indian agriculture after the green revolution during 1960s. With the introduction of *Bt* cotton in India, which confers resistance to key lepidopteron insect pests of cotton, there has been an incredible increase in the cotton production. India cultivated a record 11.0 million hectares of *Bt* cotton in 2013 with an adoption rate of 95% [14]. There is substantial evidence that the adoption of *Bt* cotton provides economic benefits from increased yields due to limited damage from the bollworm pest complex [American bollworm (*Helicoverpa armigera* Hubner) in particular and other bollworms such as spotted (*Earias vittella* Fab.), spiny (*E. insulana* Boisd.) and the pink (*Pectinophora gossypiella* Saunders), in general] and reducing costs through lower use levels of insecticide [15].

In point of fact, *Bt* cotton developed in India is a combination of transgenic and hybrid technologies. *G. hirsutum* represents 90% of the hybrid cotton in India and almost all the current *Bt* cotton hybrids are *G. hirsutum*. The embedded *Bt* gene acts as an *in situ* biological pesticide factory and hence avoid the need for any chemical spray for the suppression of the lepidop‐ teron pests. In order to have maximum effect of *Bt* gene, the host genotype (one of the parent of the hybrid) chosen from the existing stock of hybrids that have a strong yield potential and popular acceptance (in terms of acreage) of its non-Bt version.

On the other hand, release and widespread usage of *Bt* cotton hybrid has resulted a specific bottleneck. The popular Indian cotton varieties such as LRA 5166, LRK 516, MCU 5, MCU 5 VT, SVPR 2, AKA 081, AKA 7, AKA 8, GCot 11, GCot 13, PA 225, RG 8, Sahana and Surabhi (to cite a few) that were cultivated even in the marginal or low-input supplied regions, have become almost extinct after the introduction of *Bt* cotton hybrids. Undeniably, a *Bt* version of these varieties would have been a benefit for resource-poor regions which cannot be provided by hybrids since they require higher inputs and costlier management practices. Further, fortifying such varieites with drought resistance and fibre quality traits has immense benefits for the Indian farmers, since > 60% of the cotton cultivation is under rainfed conditions (where water availability to the crop growth is always uncertain and water stress can occur anytime during the cropping period that greatly affects the fibre yield and quality). The best national average yield of 17000 Kg seed cotton/ha (with almost the whole crop area being under *Bt* hybrids), seems to be insignificance when many countries harvest about 50000–60000 Kg/ha seed cotton as national average through straight varieties [15]. Thus, there is a great scope for genetic improvement of cotton especially the elite varieties, by utilizing the available rich germplasm.
