HYBRID COTTON SEED QUALITY WHEN PRODUCED BY A NEW SEED CROP SYSTEM

The objective of this two year (three seasons/year) crop study was to determine the seed quality of hybrid cotton seed produced utilising ge neric male sterility system, in off-season (summer, second crop, SU-2) and in second kharif (third crop, KH-3) as compared to the normal see d crop (first kharif crop, KH-1). To achieve this objective three crop s were taken (harvested) from the same parental stock by modifying the fruiting activity period and morphoframe. Seed produced in off-season -summer (second crop, SU-2) and second Kharif (third crop, KH-3) had g ermination percentage, seed index and seedling vigour that were equal to or significantly superior to the first kharif crop (KH-1). It is ve ry clear that second (off-season) and third seed crops can be efficien tly harvested from the same parental stock with the seed quality much superior to the standard norms for hybrid seed certification for cotto n in India.