Growers advised to start cotton sowing from April 1

MULTAN: The Central Cotton Research Institute Friday advised growers to start cotton sowing from April 1.’

Talking to reporters, CCRI Director Dr Zahid Mehmood said growers should select suitable and fertile soils that can absorb maximum water and maintain its long-lasting aroma for better yield.

He said the growers should use only approved cotton varieties. The waterlogged and sandy soils are not fit for cotton sowing, he said. However, growers can sow cotton in beds of that soils after consulting cotton experts and using laser land levelers, Dr Zahid said.

The leveled soils can help supply water to all cotton plants and laser technology can be helpful in saving 25pc to 30pc water besides increasing in production from 15pc to 20pc, he maintained.

Dr Zahid Mehmood asked growers to reach CCRI through phone. He said the CCRI would provide quality cotton seed to growers at official rates.

The farmers should use only registered and approved cotton varieties. He said farmers should sow BTCIM-602, BTCIM-632, BTCYTO-178, BTCYTO-179, and BTCYTO-177 cotton varieties. He also urged farmers to cover 10-20 per cent area with non-Bt varieties including CIM-496, CIM-554, CIM-620, CIM-573, Cyto-124 and CIM-610.