The American cotton variety grown in north-western India (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan) is locally known as:

In north-western India, especially in Punjab, Haryana and northern Rajasthan (Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh), American upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is commonly called "Narma". The traditional Asian cotton varieties grown in the region are called "Desi" cotton.

About Narma (American cotton):

• It belongs to the species Gossypium hirsutum, which originated in Central America and Mexico and is the most widely grown cotton species in the world.
• It produces medium to long staple fibre, which is suitable for spinning finer yarn in textile mills.
• It was introduced into north-western India during the British period and spread widely in the canal-irrigated areas of Punjab.
• Today, almost all Narma grown in the region is Bt cotton (genetically modified to resist bollworms).

The cotton belt of north-western India:

• The Malwa region of southern Punjab (Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka, Muktsar), the Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar districts of Haryana, and the Sri Ganganagar-Hanumangarh area of Rajasthan form the main cotton belt of north India.
• Cotton here is grown with irrigation from canals and tubewells, and the cotton-wheat cropping system is common.
• Problems in recent years include whitefly attacks (notably in 2015) and pink bollworm infestations, which caused heavy losses.

Desi cotton:

• It refers to the Old World or Asian cotton species, Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium herbaceum.
• These are hardy, drought- and pest-tolerant, and give short-staple fibre, used for coarse cloth, surgical cotton and quilts.

Other cotton terms:

• Suvin: a superfine, extra-long staple cotton variety (Gossypium barbadense) developed in Tamil Nadu, from a cross with the Sea Island type; used for very fine fabrics.
• Jayadhar: a well-known desi (herbaceum) cotton variety of northern Karnataka.
• Kapas: unginned raw cotton; cotton is measured in bales of 170 kg of lint.

India and cotton:

India grows all four cultivated cotton species, and has the largest cotton area in the world.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Desi refers to the traditional Asian cottons.
• ✗Suvin is an extra-long staple variety of the south.
• ✗Jayadhar is a desi cotton variety of Karnataka.