Based in Narrabri, NSW, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Plant Industry's Cotton Breeding and Biotechnology Team spent years developing the new more environmentally friendly, disease-resistant, high-yield variety – Sicot 71BRF.
CSIRO Chairman, Simon McKeon, said the team's success in producing a variety which now – just two years after its commercial release – dominates the industry landscape, highlights CSIRO's continuing ability to deliver the advancements required to maintain the Australian industry's competitiveness.
"In providing a highly desirable package of advantages over other cotton varieties, the team has delivered significant economic, social and environmental benefits to growers throughout Australia," Mr McKeon said.
"In 2010–11 the industry’s high adoption rate of Sicot 71BRF benefited the industry and the regional communities dependent on cotton production (gross value $1.7b; marginal value $61m), and the flow-on is helping many rural communities recover from a period of decline brought on by prolonged drought.
"The team's research also shows more yield is being obtained with the same water inputs – so, Sicot 71BRF is contributing to a better environmental profile for cotton."
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