Xinjiang, Apr 7th (Gwadar Pro) - "The average unit yield of cotton in Xinjiang is among the highest in the world. The color, length and strength of cotton fiber are excellent. Pakistan is a big agricultural country with plenty of cotton fields. The cooperation potential of China and Pakistan in the cotton field is particularly large. ”said Chen Quanjia, deputy dean of Agricultural College, Xinjiang Agricultural University(XJAU) in China. XJAU has started cotton cooperation with University of Agriculture, Faisalabad since 2017. 

 

Dr. Irfan Afzal is a seed expert from Faisalabad Agriculture University, who is working on cottonseed quality maintenance during production and harvesting.“Pakistan is struggling for the availability of good quality seeds in the market. Last year, we had to lower down the certification standards for the cottonseed quality.”

 

According to Dr. Irfan, the germination potential of Pakistan cottonseed variety is less than 50 %, which is much less comparing with other countries. “Normally we have a standard of up to 75 % germination. It's because of lacking in breeding programs."He explained.

 

Chen Quanjia believes that the germplasm resources of China and Pakistan are complementary. “The heat resistance of Pakistani cotton is very good. For example, 40-degree-temperature that lasts more than a week will harm the long-staple cotton in Xinjiang. But Pakistan cotton can still thrive under that condition. This kind of heat-resistant seeds are very valuable for our research. The high-yield and high-quality traits of our Xinjiang cotton are also what Pakistan seeds need.”

 

“In addition to the exchange of cotton germplasm, mechanical harvesting and other technologies should also be transferred from China to Pakistan to save this important cotton crop here,” added Irfan.