Project overview

Cotton production in Northern Australia faces a unique challenge, lower sunlight and variable radiation during key growth periods due to latitude and monsoonal cloud cover. The light dynamics in Northern Australia project investigates how light availability influences crop development, boll retention, and yield, and how management practices can be adjusted to make the most of available sunlight. 

By measuring plant available radiation (PAR) above and within the canopy, the project is helping to identify how factors such as row spacing, plant population, and leaf type (eg okra varieties) influence light interception and canopy health. On-farm monitoring stations are capturing real-time data on sunlight intensity, temperature, and canopy structure. 

The findings will help growers understand how to improve boll retention, manage canopy density, and ultimately enhance both yield and fibre quality in Northern Australia’s unique cotton environments. 

Outcomes and achievements

• Installed solar radiation sensors and mobile weather stations over two seasons across two grower trial sites in NT region
• \Began measurement of above- and within-canopy PAR (light) to understand canopy light penetration
• Generated the first dataset of light environment dynamics in northern cotton crops
• Will seek to engage growers and regional agronomists on findings and interpretation. 

Project status

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