Sino-Pak cooperation in cottonseed research is underutilized

According to Dr Muhammad Tehseen Azhar, Associate Professor at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at Bahauddin Zakariya University, collaboration is quite significant, which is why Pakistani scientists are interested in exchanging cotton germplasm lines with China for research preparation.

Pakistani and Chinese researchers can collaborate to increase the choice of cotton genes (the gene pool), says Dr Muhammad Tehseen Azhar. Cottonseed research is one of the untapped territories in cotton research between the two countries. Pakistan’s oilseed production is on a declining trend mainly due to falling cotton production. The lack of technology in Pakistan could be problematic for some time, he says.