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.
2026 Season | Darling Down | Trial No. 2026155
Sicala 320B3XF, Sicot 761B3XF, Siokra 253B3XF, Sicot 619B3XF & Sicot 748B3XF Try Before You Buy
‘Wyobi’, Jimbour, QLD
Key takeaway
- A good yield result with many varieties to compare against
- Sicot 619B3XF establishment was a standout and showed off the advantages of a normal density seed
- Hard to judge what will come out on top until ginning is finished with Sicot 761B3XF topping the trial along with good quality.
System
Dryland
Double skip
Rainfall
305mm
In crop rainfall
Top yield
7.8 b/ha
Sicot 761B3XF
Trial snapshot
| Trial No. | 2026155 |
| Planting date | 3 December 2025 |
| Picking date | 5 June 2026 |
| Previous crop | Long fallow sorghum |
| Varieties | Sicala 320B3XF, Sicot 761B3XF, Siokra 253B3XF, Sicot 619B3XF and Sicot 748B3XF |
Season & field summary
The trial was planted in December after a dry start to the season. The normal density seed size of the Sicot 619B3XF established very well in the field. The late plant was the correct choice for the area with milder temperatures once the crop was flowering and a greater amount of in-crop rainfall that could effectively be used by the crop.
Larissa Holland, Nick Fritz and Rowan Bennett in trial field, ‘Wyobi’, Jimbour.
Always good to check out new varieties and looking for something that suits dryland conditions and be as consistent as the Sicot 748B3F has been. The trial had a good number of varieties to compare and after a bit of a wait for rain finally got a chance to plant early December. Pretty happy with how all the varieties came up and this field probably had a better run than our others that were planted to Siokra 253B3XF earlier in the season. The Sicala 320B3XF was probably a little slower to mature and a not as ‘showy’ as the Siokra 253B3XF and Sicot 748B3F but picked and ginned well. Until we ginned the trial there probably wasn’t a standout variety and hadn’t given too much thought to the Sicot 761B3XF but it did top the trial along with good quality.
Trial results
TBYB commercial yield and quality results are from OLAM, Dalby.
Yield & fibre quality comparison
| Variety | Yield | Staple length (imp) | Strength (g/tex) | Micronaire | Lint turnout (%) |
| Sicala 320B3XF | 7.58 | 1.17 | 33 | 4.1 | 40.9 |
| Sicot 761B3XF | 7.80 | 1.16 | 32.3 | 4.4 | 73.5 |
| Siokra 253B3XF | 7.57 | 1.12 | 32.6 | 3.9 | 42.2 |
| Sicot 619B3XF | 7.28 | 1.17 | 34.1 | 4.6 | 39.8 |
| Sicot 748B3XF | 7.27 | 1.14 | 31.5 | 4.2 | 41.6 |
Agronomy insights
The trial was planted late as rain was needed to top up the profile but this also worked in favour to effectively use rain events to get the crop through. The Sicot 619B3XF had an average of two plants per metre better than any other variety in season, the Siokra 253B3XF and Sicot 748B3XF looked excellent with a heavy load of bolls. The Sicala 320B3XF was slow to reach flowering and did look behind the others all the way to defoliation. Defoliation was slowed by rain and at this time the okra leaf was a standout. Picking quality was affected by rain in terms of colour but great results for yield.
Fit & management considerations
The biggest advantage for the normal density seed varieties is at establishment with Sicot 619B3XF by far the best in plant stand. However, it seems hard for the variety to show its true potential in trials as it often cuts out quicker than others and must wait for other varieties to be ready. It was seen in the colour being a grade worst. The Sicala 320B3XF hasn’t been a ‘flashy’ variety to look at in the field but has done well this year and the last under the same grower. While not the pretest to pick it has been good on yield. The Sicot 761B3XF which can be thought of as a generalist variety came out on top helped by a great turn out.
