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: Kupunn, QLD
Trial commenced: October 2024
Establishment snapshot:
|
Establishment |
Detail |
|
Establishment Method |
Watered up |
|
Previous Crop |
Long fallow cotton |
|
Row Spacing / Bed Type |
Solid self-mulching clay |
|
Seeding Rate (seeds/m) |
13.5 s/d |
|
Final Plant Stand (plants/m) |
9-9.5p/m |
|
Establishment % |
70% |
|
Field Condition Score (1–5) |
2 |
Results:
- Planting conditions were good, and it was a warm start to the season. The crop watered up well during establishment.
- The grower used Delta Force, attributing the seed depth and the evenness of emergence to the change to their set up.
- Emergence was similar across both varieties.
- Sicot 606B3F appeared to fruit up earlier with the Sikora 253B3XF growing taller quickly and staying that way. The rate of fruit development was similar at that time.
- In the lead up to flowering it was wet and dry during flowering. The grower kept water up to the crop during this time, utilising five irrigators (312mm).
- At the end of the season, watering was occasionally followed by big rainfall and prolonged overcast weather, which were unfavourable conditions.
Siokra 253B3XF outperformed Sicot 606B3F, yielding 12.03 bales per hectare compared to 11.68 b/ha for 606B3F. This was achieved in the better part of the field.
- Siokra 253B3XF demonstrated impressive late fruit retention, especially after a late influx of rain and cloudy weather, holding significantly more bolls than Sicot 606B3F. It also showed strong early vigorous growth.
- Gin results for Sicot 606B3F were poor in comparison but expected by the end due to the condition of the crop.
First flower snapshot:
|
Metric |
Value |
|
Days After Planting |
67 (26/12/24) |
|
Day Degrees |
911 (609) |
|
Plant Height (cm) |
75-80cm |
|
NAWF |
8 |
|
Total Nodes |
15.0-15.5 |
Nutrition and pest management:
|
Input Type |
Amount / Timing |
|
Nitrogen (Pre/Post) |
138 pre, 115 post (253) |
|
Phosphorus / K / Zn |
24 p, 44 K, 5 Zn |
|
Insecticide Sprays |
2 |
|
Herbicides Used |
2 |
|
Growth Regulators |
0.01 flower, 0.15 cut out |
Yield and fibre quality:
|
Variety |
Yield (b/ha) |
Turnout (%) |
Length |
Strength |
Mic |
|
Sicot 606B3F |
11.68 |
42.9 |
1.19 |
32.1 |
4.3 |
|
Siokra 253B3XF |
12.03 |
44.5 |
1.20 |
31.4 |
3.8 |
End of season snapshot:
|
Metric |
Value |
|
Final Plant Height (cm) |
606 (105cm) vs 253 (121cm) |
|
Total Nodes |
21 |
|
Squaring Nodes |
15 |
|
Boll Count (bolls/m) |
130 vs 140 |
|
Boll Weight (g) |
5 grams |
|
Defoliation Dates |
4/4/25 |
|
Picking Date |
2/5/25 |
Grower feedback:
“The early vigorous growth and late fruit retention of Siokra 253B3XF performed much better than our Sicot 606B3F when side by side. If I could get the Siokra 253B3XF seed, I would be very interested in plating a substantial area of Siokra 253B3XF as it has a very high yield potential. If you can get the seed, it’s a great option. Really great verticillium package. Defoliation is great though did have regrowth rapid.”
Our thanks to the grower, Dan Hayllor, who participated in the Try Before You Buy trials.
If you are interested in becoming a trial co-operator or would like to know more about the trial conducted at Kupunn, contact Larissa Holland on 0428 950 003.
