CSIRO efforts through variety trials reap high cotton yields

13 Jul '05

5 min read

The significant increase in yields achieved this past season is a direct benefit of CSIRO's exhaustive breeding program, combined with the extensive commercial grower-managed trial program, according to CSD general manager, Adam Kay.

Speaking on the weekly Web on Wednesday video on the CSD website, Mr Kay said these programs were directly responsible for the development of Sicot 71BR, acclaimed as the highest yielding variety in Australia over such a wide expanse of regional climates and growing conditions.

He said no cotton variety had previously so decisively won 32 of 41 fully replicated large-scale trials over two seasons.

“In surveys conducted of commercial fields, it has averaged over 11 bales to the hectare, or 4.5 bales per acre, which is a phenomenal average yield.

“The fibre quality of this variety is also good. Staple length is slightly shorter than Sicot 289BR and Sicala 60BR, but in over 80 per cent of trials and in over 82 per cent of the commercial fields, it has achieved a length of greater than 36,” Adam Kay said.

CSD extension and development agronomist in the Namoi Valley, Rob Eveleigh, said the outstanding element of the success of Sicot 71BR had been its performance from Emerald through to the Riverina.

“We have never had a variety that's had that sort of adaptability and performance over such a wide area.

“Over the past two seasons it has not only won 32 of the 41 trials in which it participated, but on another 6 occasions it's come second, and was third on one occasion.

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