A new public-sector Bt cotton variety has recorded a yield of 25.72 quintals/hectare in North India.
Punjab Agricultural University's (PAU) 'PAU Bt 5' (also known as PBH Bt 21) is emerging as a significant new public-sector Bt cotton variety for irrigated cultivation across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Released in 2023, this variety was developed through 'pedigree selection' from the cross LH 2298 × PAU Bt 1.
According to AICRP cotton trials conducted at five locations in the Northern Zone between 2019 and 2022, PAU Bt 5 recorded an average seed cotton yield of 2,572 kg/ha (i.e., 25.72 quintals/hectare). Its yield was 20.1% higher than PAU Bt 1 and 21.8% higher than PAU Bt 2, while it outperformed local check varieties by 8.18%.
The variety has a maturity period of 160–165 days and a ginning outturn of 35.8%. Fiber testing recorded an Upper Half Mean Length of 26.2 mm, a Micronaire value of 4.9, and a fiber strength of 26.4 g/tex, indicating good spinning quality.
Disease resistance is another key attribute. PAU Bt 5 is moderately resistant to the cotton leaf curl virus and resistant to fungal foliar leaf spot and bacterial leaf blight.
This variety is also notable for originating from India's public breeding system. With a seed cotton yield of approximately 2.6 tonnes per hectare in coordinated trials and specific adaptability to irrigated conditions in the northern region, PAU Bt 5 adds another public-sector-developed option to the region's Bt cotton portfolio.
read more :- The rupee opened at 95.75 against the dollar, strengthening by 7 paise.
