Advances and milestones in agronomic research on cotton in India

The review traces the agronomic research on cotton and dovetails the research achievements to other developmental launched programmes by the Government which ultimately led India transform itself from a net importer of cotton to an era of self sufficiency and export. The launching of the All India Coordinated Cotton Improvement Project in 1967, establishment of the Central Institute for Cotton Research in 1976 and the release of Bt cotton hybrids can be considered as landmarks of cotton research and development in independent India which provided opportunities for agronomists to standardize package of practices to the new varieties and hybrids. Progress of research on cotton establishment, nutrient management, water management, weed management strategies stressing on more eco-friendly alternative and development of innovative inter and sequential cropping systems were the salient achievements reviewed. These agronomic advances increased productivity and/or reduced input costs and enhanced profits from cotton production system. With short-duration cotton varieties and appropriate agronomic practices cotton-wheat double cropping system firmly established in about 14 lakh hectares in northern zone.