An overview on achivements, challenges and furure prospects of cotton research in the Sudan
2007
Babiker, E.A., Agricultural Research Corpoation, Wad Medani (Sudan)
The year 2004 marked the Hundred Anniversary (Massey Jubilee) of the Cotton Research Program (CRP) with more than 50 varieties and improved lines being released, in addition to varying recommendations on cultural practices, pest management and fibre quality improvement. Nonetheless, implementation at the farm level is disappointing with an all time average yield of 400-450 kg lint/ha as compared to 1200-1500 kg lint/ha for research and a world average of 700 kg lint/ha. The stagnating low yield had been a normal course for the last 80 years, despite the variation in financial polices adopted throughout the years. To change the course of this long time stagnation, and to bridge the gap between research and farmers, future research and technology transfer should embark upon Precision Agriculture, where site specific approach is to be promoted rather than the general blanket recommendations. Cotton is a very inefficient crop, in terms of input utilization, due to its perennial and indeterminate growth habit, with priorities of diverting assimilates partitioning to vegetative growth. Therefore, under condition of poor input management, like improper timing of fertilizers and insecticides application, excessive growth (rank growth) is eminent. Accordingly, the recent release of the new early maturing varieties which are resistant to diseases and insects may be the way out for both, reverting the course of stagnating yields and lowering the cost of production. However, understanding of the physiology of the cotton plant as related to input use, coupled with: technical follow up, financial, social and policy measures that enhance tenants commitments to attended farming, should be emphasized
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