This project continues to build on the work of previous project SC1301 during a critical time for the industry in promoting and improving stewardship of Bt and insecticides.

Transgenic cotton was introduced to Australia in 1996 with Ingard® which was replaced by Bollgard II® in 2004/05.

The use of transgenic (Bt) cotton (Ingard® and more recently Bollgard II®) has greatly reduced the use of insecticides in Australian cotton production and the status of key lepidopteran pests such as Helicoverpa spp.

In the mid-1990's the Australian cotton industry adopted Ingard®, a transgenic variety that contains a Bt toxin (CrylAc) which is specific to the group of insects including the target Helicoverpa armigera, but ex

CSIRO has established an effective breeding program that continues to deliver high yielding and high performing varieties containing transgenic traits for more sustainable and profitable insect and weed control.