Thirty six candidate cotton varieties developed by different breeders of Pakistan were tested consecutively for two years (2017 and 2018) and at six locations of Province of Punjab in national coordinated varietal trials (NCVT).  The trials were conducted to explore seed cotton yield potential and fiber properties against two check varieties (CIM-602 and FH-142/IUB-13).  As per claim of the breeders, the samples of all varieties for both the years were sent to four designated biotechnological laboratories for conducting biochemical tests also. The results revealed highly significant differences among the varieties for both the years. During the year 2017, on an average of six location, top ten high yielding varieties recorded were MNH-1026, BH-221, BS-18, CEMB-100, MNH-1020, FH-444, CEMB-101, ICI-2121, Bahar-07 and IUB-69 which yielded 3202, 3058, 3051, 2948, 2923, 2888, 2880, 2870, 2783 and 2753 kg/ha seed cotton yield respectively. When the results of 2018 trial were looked at, averagely top ten high yielding varieties were BS-18, ICI-2121, MNH-1026, RH-Afnan, CIM-343, CIM-663, NIAB-898, FH-490, MNH-1020 and NS-191 with 2893, 2749, 2748, 2745, 2614, 2608, 2607, 2604, 2594, and 2512 kg/ha of seed cotton yield respectively. However, on an average of both the years (2017 and 2018), top ten high yielding varieties were MNH-1026, BS-18, ICI-2121, BH-221, MNH-1020, CIM-343, CIM-663, FH-490, FH-444 and NIAB-898 producing 2975, 2972, 2810, 2761, 2759, 2681, 2671, 2670, 2652 and 2629 kg/ha of seed cotton respectively. As regards fiber properties, almost half (18 candidate varieties) could qualify all fiber standards set by Punjab Seed Council including 12 varieties which were given relaxation of 1mm in staple length by the Expert Sub Committee of the Punjab Seed Corporation. The biochemical test results received from all four laboratories revealed that on an average of four laboratories and two years, the trait purity range recorded was from 42 to 96 percent, whereas, quantification of Bt toxin ranged from 0.81 to 2.62. From the present study, it was concluded that almost 15-20 candidate varieties have the potential to be included among already approved varieties for commercial cultivation in the province of the Punjab

A field experiment was conducted at ICI Research Farm, Multan to evaluate the effect of different sowing dates on plant height, number of monopodia, number of sympodia, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield kg/ha of two upland cotton varieties (ICI-2121 and ICI-2424) developed by ICI Pakistan Limited, Multan against a standard check variety IUB-2013 during 2019, and 2020 years.  These varieties were planted on 1st April, 15th April, 1st May, 15th May, 1st June, and 15th June, at ICI Cotton Research Station, 19-Kasi Vehari Road, Multan.  Results revealed that statistically highly significant differences in planting dates were observed for all the parameters studied except number of monopodial branches and boll weight which depicted non-significant differences. Regarding varieties and interaction between varieties and planting times, similar trend of statistical differences was observed. As regards to planting dates, generally, all the parameters under study showed their maximum performance when crop was planted on 1st May followed by 1st April planting date, whereas, minimum performance of the parameters was recorded when the crop was planted on 15th June followed by 1st June. Regarding varietal performance, on an average, maximum plant height (146cm) was observed in ICI-2121 followed by IUB-2013. Same trend of performance of varieties regarding number of monopodia and sympodia per plant was observed.  Regarding average number of bolls per plant in different varieties, it was observed that ICI-2121 produced maximum (32 bolls) followed by ICI-2424 (31 bolls) and IUB-2013 (28 bolls) irrespective of planting dates. The same trend of varietal performance regarding boll weight was recorded. When seed cotton yield (kg/ha) was evaluated, on an average of varieties, ICI-2121 produced maximum seed cotton yield (1228 kg/ha) followed by ICI-2424 and IUB-2013 which produced 1147 and 1046 kg/ha seed cotton yield respectively irrespective of planting dates. It was concluded that under agro-climatic conditions of Multan, 1st May planting date was evaluated as optimum cotton sowing time. Before or after 1st May, this study does not recommend growing cotton in this particular zone.  Among cotton varieties, ICI-2121 is recommended for sowing under this planting time being producing higher yields.

National Coordinated Varietal Trial was conducted to evaluate the performance of the new strains for yield potential and stability. Multi-location trial consisting of 121 strains was carried out at 13 locations under different agro-climatic zones. So different genotypes behaved differently as environment was changed hence none of the genotype was found stable in any environment. Gene expression profiling was done from four designated labs. The presence of gene and trait purity was done through event specific primers in PCR and quantities profiling was conducted by ELISA test. Most of the strains showed low purity level as well as low toxin level compared to the EPA-USA recommendation (1.5μg/g). The strains claimed as non-Bt by the respective breeder also showed the presence of Bt toxins. Hence the information is very useful for breeders as well as for other cotton stakeholders to be careful while developing high yielding varieties adoptive to multi-environment and with recommended dose of toxin level. It will also be helpful for variety registration/approval and extension department for giving general and specific recommendations of crop production