Assessing the performance of transgenic Bt cottons through mother and baby trial

The performance of different Bt cotton (Gossypium species) hybrids were compared in mother and baby trial design to assess the potentiality of the hybrids under scientifically managed (mother) vs farmer growing practices (baby trial) in red soil under rainfed condition. The field experiment (mother trial) was conducted in farmer field during 2008–09 and 2009–10. In evaluation of different genotypes in red soil, Bt cotton ‘MRC 6918’ recorded significantly higher seed-cotton yield (2.26 t/ha) than all other cotton genotypes and found on par with ‘Bunny BG II’(2.20 t/ha) and ‘RCH 2 BG II’ (2.09 t/ha). The significantly higher gross returns of 89,131/ha and net returns of 64,917/ha was obtained in ‘MRC 6918’ as compared to all other genotypes. The higher uptake of nutrients (N,P,K) was recorded with ‘MRC 6918’ at 120 days after sowing. ‘DHH 11’ non Bt recorded higher fibre fineness (4.60 micronaire) and fibre maturity (0.76) than other genotypes. Higher yield (1.73 t/ha) was recorded in baby trial with ‘Bunny BG II’ and differed significantly with mother trial (2.20 t/ha)