Pima in Israel

Cotton is one of the leading field crops in Israel.Cotton growers do not receive any government subsidies and are totally independent on all matters concerning crops planning. Each grower, according to market conditions and in comparison with other field crops, determines each year which crop to plant and on what acreage. Long staple cotton has been grown in Israel since the 1950's. All long staple cotton fields are fully irrigated with no rainfall during the entire period of growth. First rains are expected from mid- October, and by that time all the cotton is usually picked, thus avoiding any rainfall damage. For the first 30 years American Pima varieties were grown in Israel, however, these varieties did not attain the same high qualities in Israel as achieved in their countries of origin, nor the same yield. As a result, the first Pima varieties bred in Israel since 1985 was F177 which was the only variety grown in our fields for about 15 years. Over recent years an improved variety was introduced for commercial growth from the same breeder - PF-15, with high yield and better qualities.In 1998 this new variety was sown on half of the fields, and from 1999 over 70 % of the Pima fields have been sown with the PF-15. In 2001 a new variety - P-008 has found its way to the fields. Having improved qualities such as better 95a:strength, lower neps counts, stable staple length and less sensitivity to leaf disease, it became the main variety. Classing results show that most of the cotton is grade 2, with 95% of the Israeli Pima being USDA grade 3 and and better.

A Comparison of Quality Parameters between P-008 and PF-15 Varieties

______________________
VARIETY P-008 PF-15 LENGTH 1-7/16 1-7/16 MICRONAIRE 3.8 -4.1 3.6 - 4.1 (Ave.3.9) (Ave.3.8) HVI 38 - 40 36 - 40 STRENGTH (Ave.39) (Ave.38) ___________________________

Lint is HVI classed and marketed according to quality specifications -

via international traders. HVI data is available upon request.Each and every bale is tested for stickiness using Lintronics FiberLab.This procedure is conducted for many years and the Israell cotton is considered non sticky cotton. Israel, despite being relatively small in area, has several growth regions with different geo-climatic conditions. The agricultural extension service is responsible for adapting agro- techniques to each area, so as to create the right conditions for maximum quality and yield.All cotton is mechanically picked and long-staple cotton is rollerginned. There are roller gins throughout the country so that the distance from the cotton field to the gin does not play as a factor in the decision of which variety to prefer. All of Israel's cotton is exported, via international traders, to European markets and also to Far East and South America.

Directions for Future Breeding:

* Local varieties adapted to each region. * Superior varieties with short growth seasons without reducingyield. (Such varieties are already in advanced testing stages). * Improving several fiber quality characteristics. * Hybrid varieties(Acalpi) with high yields and improved qualities, consideration given in saving water and shortening the growing season.