Source: The Hindu via Checkbiotech

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the Union Government had approved the six varieties of Bt cotton hybrids for commercial cultivation in Punjab, thereby conceding the long pending demand of cotton growers in the State.

Addressing a mammoth gathering of farmers on the occasion of the fifth Award giving ceremony to the best Cotton growers of the state organized by Confederation of Indian Industry here, Singh advised the farmers to use only prescribed varieties of hybrid Bt cotton.

He further said that RCH 134 Bt., RCH 317 Bt., Ankur 651 Bt., Ankur 2534 Bt., MRC 6301 Bt. and MRC 6304 Bt varieties had been cleared by Central Government and these varieties would result in less number of sprays for the control of American Bollworm and thus would lead to a net saving of Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 perhectare.

Besides, it would also lead to an increase in yield of 25 per cent to 28 per cent per hectare as compared to the normal hybrids. The cultivation of these Bt cotton hybrids would reduce the environmental contamination and pesticide residue problems in the cottonseed, he reasoned.

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu