Cotton varietal adoption and yields in the irrigated Punjab: Results from 1986-1988

Abstract

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), the silver fiber, is an important crop of Pakistan and occupies a key position in the economy, providing significant foreign exchange. This crop is mainly grown in the southern part of the irrigated Punjab and in irrigated Sind. In the 1980's, a dramatic breakthrough occurred in cotton productivity, mainly through release of high yielding varieties alongwith enhanced input use levels, especially pesticides over the past five years, cotton production has doubled in Pakistan. Despite this improvement in cotton production, yields are below potential. At present the average yield of seed cotton in Pakistan is 1350 kg/ha against 469, 1833, 564, 2032, 2500, 2302 and 1556 kg/ha for India, U.S.A, Brazil, Turkey, Egypt, Mexico and Iran respectively (Government of Pakistan, 1985). Important factors limiting cotton production in the area are soil type, insect-pest attacks, weeds, and unreliable weather during the cotton growing season (AARI, 1986-87). To overcome these constraints, cotton br eders, seed distribution institutions and extension agencies are continuously working to develop and disseminate a stream of new improved cultivars to replace the old ones. To examine the extent of cotton varietal adoption by farmers, a survey was carried out by AERU, Faisalabad in December 1988. Sufficient information was obtained to assess the varietal diffusion on different farm size groups, as well as farmers' yields by variety. This information was gathered to provide breeders with information on the current use of varieties by cotton farmers as well as trends over the last three years.