History

• The perennial Nadan cotton of the Southern most part of Tamil Nadu is, in all probability, the progenitor of Karunganni variety. Another component is known as Uppam belonging to G. herbaceum. The name Uppam is synonymous with Ukkan and Udumalpet cotton. It is also probable that since the early cultivation was centred around Udumalpet, it was named after the place in Coimbatore District. The other term Ukkan has been interpreted to mean that Vokkalegas who hailed from Chittaldurg and Dharwar districts of Karnataka and settled in Western parts of Coimbatore district brought cotton with them during their migration. The women of this community were known to spend their spare time in ginning and spinning cotton. Naturally, they would have brought cotton and the tools along with them and took to its cultivation. The name ‘Uppam’ cotton in Southern tip of the Penninsula may have been due to its property of swelling (Uppal in Tamil) of the kapas by sea breeze (Uppu katru in Tamil). Thus, the G. herbaceum cotton in Tamil Nadu is traceable to the early introduction from Dharwar and Chittaldrug districts of Karnataka.
• The East India company recognised three trade varieties of cotton during the 18th century. They were 1) Tinnies which is a mixture of Karunganni belonging to G. arboreum race Wightianum, (2) Salems - again a mixture of perennial native cotton Nadan (meaning native) belonging to G. arboreum race indicum and Uppam and, in addition, another perennial cotton belonging to the tetraplod group of G. hirsutum race punctatum introduced by the East India Company in the late 18th Century and (3) Karunganni Viz., G. arboreum.
• The East India Company made many attempts to improve the native cotton of Tamil Nadu. It tried to introduce the American tetraploid cotton. However, most attempts were unsuccessful. During 1904-1905, a chance introduction of an American cotton, cultivated in Cambodia, the present Kampuchea, indicated the possibility of raising it under irrigated conditions. Within 3 or 4 years, it spread throughout the Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu and got the name ‘Tirunelveli American’. Later, it spread throughout Tamil Nadu and came to be known as ‘Cambodia Cotton in the Southern peninsula and formed the back bone for firm establishment of cotton ginning, spinning and weaving industry in South India.

Districtwise Area, Production & Productivity of cotton in Tamilnadu 2004-2005.

Source : Season and Crop Report 2004-05, Government of Tamilnadu