The overall objective of this project was to develop improved conventional and transgenic cotton varieties adapted to Australian growing conditions and producing fibre suitable for our markets. The project comprised key components of conventional breeding and development of markers for future use in marker-assisted breeding.

Conventional breeding experiments and line evaluation are done in all major production regions in Australia; our mobile sowing and harvesting equipment is used at 15 sites and comprises more than 20,000 yield plots each year. New elite lines have been identified with increased yield potential, improved fibre properties and increased resistance to diseases such as Fusarium wilt.

Up to eight Quantitative Trait Loci have been identified for resistance to Fusarium wilt. These results are being used to develop molecular markers for Fusarium resistance to enable quicker and more accurate breeding and development of new varieties. At present there are 9,000 plots per year in field Fusarium nurseries with variable success; markers would enable this process to be improved at cheaper cost.

There have been 36 new varieties released in the past three years. We have introduced high Fusarium resistance (Sicot F-1, Sicala 45, Sicot 14B); Bollgard®II (a large suite including Sicot 71B and Sicot 71BR); a fuller suite of Roundup Ready (Sicot 71RR, Sicot 80RR); premium fibre (Sicala 350B); and initial limited RRFlex release (Sicot 80BRF, Sicala 60BRF, Sicot 43BRF).

We have continued to discover better combinations of yield, fibre quality and disease resistance in conventional germplasm. Sicot 75 is one example and this will provide a new base for future conventional and transgenic varieties. Thus the 1.96% improvement in yield potential due to breeding from previous years will continue. Yield increases are needed to help keep cotton growers remain viable.