India launches project to raise cotton productivity
To combat a decline in cotton crop productivity in India, the Cotton Development and Research Association (CDRA) and the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) have launched a high-density planting project in Rajasthan.
After achieving a significant increase from less than 300 kilos to more than 550 kilos per hectare between 2003 and 2008 on the strength of Bt seeds, productivity has fallen to 490 kilos per hectare during the last two years.
Bayer Crop Sciences, the Rajasthan government and CITI will undertake experiments to improve cotton yield, emulating countries such as Brazil, which has achieved increased productivity using high-density planting.
Trial plots in Ajmer, Pali, Nagur and Jodhpur districts will accommodate 18,000 plants per acre, according to local press reports.
Bt cotton is genetically modified with Bacillus thuringiensis, causing the plant to produce a natural insecticide in its tissues and reduces the need for chemicals.
