Abstract

As a result of intensive research work, the chara Madras cottons has undergone enormous changes and is keeping pace with the increasing demands for the superior quality cottons of the textile industry. Thus the inferior short staple cottons that were in cultivation in 1930 to 1940 have been completely erased from the cotton map of Madras and in turn contributed to the development of textile industry and the connected subsidiary industries which added to the prosperity of the State. During the last four decades, the research workers were engaged in improving the quality of the irrigated cambodia and rainfed desi cottons by resorting to intensive plant breeding methods. To fall in line with the strides of cotton research, separate organisation for the supply of pure seeds of the above improved strains were also concurrently functioning in the State. Apart from the nucleus stock which was maintained at the breeders' plot, the onus of maintaining the purity of the different strains thereafter was vested with these seed multiplication and distribution centres. Bridging the gulf between cotton research worker and the actual cultivator, a separate cotton development wing is also functioning in the State. Apart from cotton research, multiplication, distribution and extension, the cotton improvement work in this State had extended its activities even to the marketing of the raw produce. The Superior Cotton Certification Scheme had been playing an important role for the past twelve years in maintaining the quality of the superior cottons right from the crop, upto the stage of marketing.

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