The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Dharwad has embarked on a mission to strengthen the concept of naturally-coloured cotton. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had directed the officials concerned to take steps to promote coloured cotton. Hence, as a first step a meeting of sub-group chaired by P Nayak, secretary, Textiles Committee, Government of India, Mumbai was held at the university on Wednesday.
It may be recalled here that the first naturally-coloured cotton genotype of India, DDCC-1 (G. arboreum) is a significant example of genetic amelioration (improvement) in fibre colour and it is now under cultivation in this region.
Biotechnological research at UAS Dharwad has lead to substantial progress in incorporation of Bt genes into cotton genotypes of commercial importance.
UAS Vice-Chancellor D P Biradar brought out the achievements and research on at the university on naturally-coloured cottons from the1990s. He emphasised the need to create new colours and mitigate the dangers of contamination due to pollen transfer which require intensive genetic engineering tools.
The university had an agreement with the Khadi Nekar Sahakari Utpadakara Sangha at Uppinabetageri in Dharwad district where seeds of colour-cotton were given, farmers were trained and the sangha marketed the finished fabric.
This activity has to be revived and the present meeting can deliberate on these issues, the V-C added.
P Nayak, Secretary, Textiles Committee, Mumbai said that a synergy is required from all stakeholders in reaching a zero-defect product which is sustainable. Value-addition to the colour-cotton in terms of industry involvement and exports are being considered for funding it in a pilot project mode, he explained.
Professor Kranthi, director, Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur wanted a revival of the colour-cotton and said that research has been going on in improving the fibre properties and yield of colour-cotton. Hybrids can also be thought of, he said.
In his detailed presentation, B M Khadi, director of research, UAS, Dharwad said research on colour-cotton in UAS, Dharwad had culminated in joint ventures with co-operative societies. The first colour-cotton variety from the university recommended the release of DDCC-1.
He emphasised that germplasm (a term used to describe living genetic resources such as seeds or tissue, maintained for the purpose of breeding, preservation, and other research uses) with desirable traits were available at the UAS Dharwad and it can serve a network research programme.
