Steamy nights hit Pakistan cotton crop

UNUSUALLY hot night temperatures in August have hit Pakistans cotton crop.

Temperatures are reported to have been 2°C higher in August, compared with last year.

Scientists at the countrys research institute suggest that Pakistan is going through some environmental change caused by large-scale deforestation, especially in the mountainous areas of northern Pakistan.

The higher temperatures have prompted demands for fresh research into cotton varieties that can stand the heat.

• Financial Times 10/09/98 page 42