Green cotton (Organic farm) Demand for cotton soley produced with organic inputs estimated at 20 to 25 thousand bales. G.herbaceum cottons grown in waged cotton tract are traditionally organic formed and have short to medium staple. G.arboreum and hirsutum cultivars with better yield, fibre quality and suitable for organic farming be developed for other rainfed tracts.

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Coloured cotton Recognize interest for Eco-friendly natural colour in cotton for commercial growth. Brown, green and kaki colour, linted germplasm stocks available. Improvement required for colour stability, yield and fibre properties. Commercial target production of 5000 to 10,000 bales set for new projects at CICR.

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NOVIMS (Non- voilent insect management system) Evolving alternate strategies with blending of traditional methods are the need of the hour. Check population of injurious insects by: Use of photo sensetisers Modification of sterol and endocrine metabolism in insects Transfering heritable sterility gene in the population of insect. Identification of adulticides of plant origin Female insect attractants Modification or arresting the ovipositional behaviours of insects by: Modifying the synthesis of plant volatile or Using volatiles as deterrantes or Mixing of these volatiles with other thorugh intercrops. Another technique coming under NOVIMS is genetically engineering the trypsin inhibitor, azadiracthtin genes in plants. Which imparts resistance and cuase growth reduction in plants. Use of neuropeptide mimics, fungal and bacterial metabolites such as avermectins to suppress the insect population. Allelopathy and insectidal effects of medicinal plants including certain weeds such as cromolena odorata.

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Terminator Gene Government of USA in collaboration with Delta and Fine Land Company produced the terminator gene. Terminator seed consists of 3 types of genes Lethal gene Combination gene exison gene. The lethal gene which will be silent in first generation activates in second generation and kill the germ and prevent sprouting. Evolution of terminator gene is against the principle of natural re generation. Plants and animals in general multiply with sexual reproduction. Scientists, politicians and alike expressed dissatisfaction against this activity. A renowned scientists of Andhra Pradesh expressed that the terminator gene has not coming to existence yet. However certain companies announced evolution and introduction of terminator gene. Further a section of society has an impression that the plant received polen from terminator gene plants in cross pollinated plants may fail to produce viable seed in F2. The harm caused to agriculture in evolution of terminator gene, not only destructive but also irreversible. The evolution of terminated gene not only stops with cotton and may also spread to crops like sorghum, maize and interspecific crosses of same genera. Varieties that are responsible for distruction of reproduction activity in plants (terminator gene) viz., Boleguard produced by M/s. Monsanto has proved that the variety has no terminator gene. Variety Boleguard is claimed to be evolved by gene replacement technique. Possibility for the spread of the foreign gene from varieties evolved by gene replacement to other fields for also expressed by several scientists. This type of movement of gene may show its influences at places where it is not required. Experiments / demonstration with gene replacement variety are to be conducted in isolated areas to safe guard other crops/varieties from harmful effects of accidental cross pollination. Biotechnological approaches Sound and repeatable cell and tissue culture protected system is essential. Transgenic cotton with BT gene conferring resistance to Heliothes developed in USA. Single most important application will be Bt based IPM. Gene for Jeans is the slogan with target gene insecticidal, herbicide resistence, heat - cold - drought tolerance, seed at and proteing and fibre modification and production of male sterility. University of Florida has developed a set of cloned a virulance genes from Xanthomonas Campestris pv. Malvacearum that have gene for gene recognition by specific resistance genes in the cotton isolines. Multi nationals have made heavy investment. In USA, some major companies developed herbicide resistant cotton lines. Viz., Cologne and Monsanto have developed genes that impart glyphosate resistance to cotton. - Cologne is also developing lines of cotton resistant to the broad-spectrum herbicides. Priorities based on resources. Role of Proline in drought resistance. Modifying fibre for specific values like high absorbancy for diapers, built in colour and wrinkle free fabrics. Production of gossypol freed seed so that its uses as an animal and human feed can be expanded. Restriction Fragment length polymorphism.

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Cotton Acreage and Condition Assessment (CACA) The project of Cotton Acerage and Condition Assessment was taken-up by Department of Space at the request of Ministry of Textile (MOT), Government of India in 1990. Seventeen districts distributed in the states of Punjab (4), Haryana (2), Maharashtra (5), Andhra Pradesh (3), Madhya Pradesh (2), and Gujarat (1) were identified for this project jointly by Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Agriculture, IMD and DOS. Cotton Acerage Estimates are being made using satellite data for the 17 districts starting from 1990-91. Quantitatively final yield is not clear. Vegetation index data base is being generated for condition assessment and development of spectral-yield models for cotton. In the mean time, attempt, has been made to estimate cotton yield using Trend analysis of the historical yield data in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, Soil moisture budget model for Gujarat, and recently, Spectral-yield model for Maharashtra. Using acreage estimates from RS data and yield estimate from the above mentioned models cotton production is estimated. The models based on trend analysis (like those for AP and Punjab) do not account for fluctuations in yield due to epidosic events (pest attack, disease, drought etc.,) Bollworm, the major pest of cotton does not manifest its effect on the foliage. Hence spectral data also will not be able to explain the yield variations. Similar limitations apply to the models based on soil moisture budgeting.

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Biofertilizer Use and Integrated Nutrient Management Fertilizers are becoming costlier. As a result, there is a need to find out alternate sources for nutrients. Biofertilizers can supplement the nutrients and economise the fertilizer use. The use of Azotobacter, Azospirillum for cotton is advocated for economising N-fertilizers, and increasing germination. Their use, however, requires maintenance of proper moisture, organic matter and moisture status in the soil. Their viability is also important. For increasing the solubility of phosphates, phosphate solubilizing micro organisms are effective. Effective strains of biofertilizer organisms are very important for getting desirable effects. The integrated use of organica and inorganic fertilizers are essential for maintaining better soil health and fertility conditions for sustained cotton production. Balanced use of NPK and S is advocated. Interaction of these nutrients in relation to cotton production assume considerable significance.

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