Cotton Research

Cotton Research

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ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The Cotton research Programme carries out its activities by a multi-disciplinary team including plant breeders, plant physiologists, agronomists, crop protectionists, soil scientists, agricultural economists and rural sociologists.

OUR VALUES/ MISSION

Sustainable research to achieve agricultural development goals to enhance productivity and wealth creation, improvement of socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerian cotton farmers.

OUR GOALS

Development of technologies to justify the Institute’s national mandate for genetic improvement and generation of production technologies for cotton.

LEADERSHIP/ HEADSHIP

GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME

• The Cotton Research Programme has the national mandate for genetic improvement and development of production technologies for cotton.
• Develop high yielding cotton varieties/Lines
• With improve resistance to major pests and diseases
• With good spinning quality
• Develop and update packages for optimal cultural and other management practices
• Develop economically-sound pests and disease control strategies.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

1. To develop high yielding varieties or lines that would have improved resistance to major pests and diseases and with a spinning quality that is acceptable to the Nigerian textile industry.
2. Identify and select for Lint and cotton fibre properties that would produce the best possible spinning and weaving in accordance with the specific needs of the Nigerian textile manufacturing industry.
3. To develop and update packages of optimal cultural and management practices which are suitable for both small-and large-scale production systems for cotton under the improved technology.
4. To evolve suitable, economically-sound disease and pest control strategies to enhance the production of cotton.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

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RESEARCH QUALITY CONTROL COMMITTEE (2017- TO DATE)

Prof. Isa Onu (Chairman- Crop Protection), Prof. S.A. Dadari (Agronomy), Prof. N.C. Kuchinda (Agronomy), Prof. U.S. Muhmmed (Agicultural Engineering), Prof. E.O. Uyovbisere (Soil Science), Prof. Ben Ahmed Agricultural Economics & Extension), Prof. A.A. Muhammed (Agronomy), Dr. U.L. Arunah (Agronomy), Mrs. A. Onyechere (Programme Secretary).

RESEARCH TEAM (2017 TO DATE)

Prof. I. Onu (Crop Protection-Entomology), Prof. E. Uyovbisere (Soil Science-Fertility), Prof. S.A. Dadari (Agronomy- Weed Management), Prof. N.C. Kuchinda (Agronomy- Weed Management), Prof. D.A. Adekpe (Agronomy- Weed Management), Dr. I. Yahaya (Plant Breeding), Dr. M. S. Mohammed (Plant Breeding), Dr. Nuradeen Musa Crop Protection-Entomology), Mr. Iyad Abdullahi (Plant Breeding).

TECHNICAL STAFF (2017 TO DATE)

E. Otokpa (Entomology), Augustine Chiemeka (Fertility), M. Saleh (Entomology), A. Lar (Weed Management), D. Badamasi (Weed Management), Abdulrazak Daura (Breeding), Adamu Idris Danyaya (Breeding), Ezera John (Breeding), Idris Ardo Bakari (Weed Management), Na’im Muhtasibu (Weed Management).

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (2017 TO DATE)

Mrs. A. Onyechere (Programme Secretary), Mr. Musa Gambo Alhassan (Office Assistant)

 ACHIEVEMENTS

Development of 13 Cotton Varieties:

SAMCOT 1 to SAMCOT 13.

SAMCOTS 1 to 10 short to medium staple length.

SAMCOTS 11 to 13 Long staple length.

Joint Development of 2 Bt Cotton Hybrids.

Various Technologies developed for Recommended Cotton Varieties.

Ø Sowing Date

Ø Plant Density /Spacing

Ø Fertilizer recommendations

Ø Weed management packages

Ø Crop protection packages

Ø Adoption of technologies by farmers

MODERN BEST PRACTISES ARISING FROM COTTON RESEARCH ENDEAVOURS

Ø Sowing 2 seeds /hill

Ø Interrow spacing-90cm

Ø Intrarow spacing -45cm

Ø OR  52 by 75 cm

Ø Sowing mid-June

Ø Weed management

Ø Ridge molding

Ø Fertilization -50kg N/ha, 20kg P2o5, 25kg K2o, Boron at 3kg/ha.

Ø Pesticides- Seed dressing 170/1 w/w Apron Star

Ø 3- 4 Insecticide sprays at weekly intervals commencing 8WAS

Ø Lamdacyhalothrin2.5EC 1l/ha

Ø Cypermethrin 5EC 1-1.5l/ha

Ø Dimethoate 30EC 1l/ha

HERBICIDE /WEED MANAGEMENT

Apply Diuron at 1.0kg plus Butachlor at 3.0l/ha

ON GOING PROJECTS (2017 TO DATE)

1.     Cotton Crossing Block- Hybridization, Population Improvement.

2.     Cotton Selected Lines Evaluation.

3.     Breeder Cotton Seed Purification.

4.     Characterization & Evaluation of Cotton Germplasm

5.     Cotton Maximum yield Trial- Two Locations (Samaru & Mokwa).

SUSPENDED PROJECT (2017 TO DATE)

1.     Cotton Weed control zonal trials

2.     Comparative Performance of Cotton under foliar Application

3.     Study of Cotton Marketing System in Nigeria.

IMAGES OF THE ANNUAL COTTON MASTER SAMPLE AND PRODUCTION MEETING HELD AT IAR CONFERENCE HALL ON WEDNESDAY 25TH NOVEMBER, 2021

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