Case Study: Try Before You Buy – Siokra 253B3XF vs Sicot 743B3XF in QLD’s Western Downs
Home » Case Study: Try Before You Buy – Siokra 253B3XF vs Sicot 743B3XF in QLD’s Western Downs
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Field tested. Proven performance. Trusted to deliver.  

The cotton industry is evolving – climate, market demand, management processes and technology advancements necessitate Australian growers and CSD to remain on the front foot, growing a high-quality product that’s sought after, sustainable and profitable. 

That’s why we’ve invested in developing new varieties, built for the conditions you face. The Try Before You Buy trials arm you with local variety performance data and insights to help inform your on-farm decision making and plant new seed varieties with confidence.  

 

Trial location: Tinobah, QLD

Trial commenced:  October 2024 

Establishment snapshot: 

Establishment  

Detail 

Establishment Method 

Rain moisture 

Previous Crop 

Long fallow wheat 

Seeding Rate (seeds/m) 

13 

Final Plant Stand (plants/m) 

10.5 

Establishment % 

80.8% 

Field Condition Score (1–5) 

2 

 

 Results: 
  • Planting conditions were good, with no cold shock days proceeding.  
  • Sicot 743B3XF emerged out of the ground well, an improvement on Sicot 761B3XF which struggled with establishment the year prior.  
  • Overall crop fruit set and retention were good on both varieties.  
  • Water usage was comparable, utilising 5ML/ha on pivot irrigation across 12 irrigations on both varieties. 
  • The trial yielded positive results: Sicot 743B3XF produced 14.68 bales/ha with an exceptionally high turnout of 47.0%, while Siokra 253B3XF demonstrated the advantage of being ready to defoliate approximately two weeks earlier.  
  • The grower reported noticeable improvement in weed control, and it is sufficiently impressive to consider growing Siokra 253B3XF again, even planning a direct comparison with his standard variety of Sicot 748B3F next season. 

 

Nutrition and pest management: 
Input Type  Amount / Timing 
Nitrogen (Pre/Post)  90 pre and 60 post  
Phosphorus / K / Zn  40 P, 50 K and 1 Zn  
Insecticide Sprays  4 Mirids
Herbicides Used  1 OTT round up and 1 pre plant  
Growth Regulators  70ml flowering, 150ml cut out  
Yield and fibre quality: 
Variety  Yield (b/ha)  Turnout (%)  Length  Strength  Mic 
Sicot 743B3XF   14.68  47.0  1.17  29.1  4.7 
Siokra 253B3XF  14.11  45.4  1.20  31.0  4.0 
Grower feedback: 
“We were very keen to adopt the new XtendFlex Siokra 253B3XF for the new chemistry available. We have a couple of select pivots with Bellvine problem that is slowly getting worse with crop rotation, not allowing in-crop hormone sprays to control and limit seed set. 
Roundup Ready was controlling it to an extent at a seedling stage; however, it gets away from us later in the season. Siokra 253B3XF also has a good advantage in back fields controlling non-XtendFlex volunteers.   
We trialed Siokra 253B3XF and liked it, however availability for the coming season has ruled that out and we are planting Sicot 743B3XF.” 

Our thanks to the grower, Ross Uebergang, who participated in the Try Before You Buy trial.  

If you are interested in becoming a trial co-operator or would like to know more about the trial conducted at Tinobah, contact Larissa Holland on 0428 950 003.  

 

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