Cotton Breeding and Physiology Researchin Australia

摘要

This article aims to indicate some aspects of research in the Australian cotton industry, particularly physiology and breeding. The modern Australian cotton industry has a short history of about fifty years, but rapidly evolved to be an intensive highinput system with lint yields averaging 2,500 kg/ha under irrigation in 2015. Variable rainfall and irrigation supplies are the major limiting factors to a greater volume of production. An example of physiology research studies and outputs is given in irrigation scheduling, where the aim is to maximize water use efficiency, given that water is the resource most limiting. Another physiology example is a calculation of cotton's theoretical yield, as yield is a primary determinant of profitability. The theoretical yield is about 5,034 kg/ha of lint, while the best irrigated crops in Australia reached 3,500 kg/ha lint in 2015. It was concluded that nutrient uptake and distribution will be more limiting than water use to further yield increases. A large cotton breeding effort is located central to the cotton production region and is well coordinated with other research disciplines. The primary breeding aims are to increase yield and regional adaptation, improve disease resistance and have fiber quality preferred by international spinners. GM insect and herbicide (Bollgard II/RRflex) traits are also introgressed into the local cultivars and have resulted in substantial reductions of insecticide and herbicide use. Detailed studies have demonstrated large yield gains of over 1,300 kg/ha of lint in a 30-year period, with 48% of that gain due to cultivar; 24% of the gain was due to modern crop management; and another 28% of the yield improvement was new cultivars responding more to modern management. A number of suggestions on research gaps and future opportunities are proposed.