Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) is the causal agent of a damaging disease of cotton (CLCuD) that is caused by a number of different begomoviruses and vectored by Silver Leaf Whitefly (SLW). CLCuV is exotic to Australia but is categorised as one of our industry’s most serious Emergency Plant Pests. Crop losses can be devastating.

The cotton industry biosecurity plan (2006) rates the overall pest risk from this pathogen complex as high to extreme. While prior to the introduction of Bemisia tabaci (B biotype) the risk of introduction may have been considered low, clearly now, with the widespread distribution of this insecticide resistant vector the impact of a disease incursion would be very serious for our industry.

The purpose of this scientific exchange was for a highly focused stakeholder based group from the Australian cotton industry to visit an overseas cotton growing area where CLCuV is endemic and growers must manage both the insect vector and plant pathogen on a routine basis. This exchange also provided an introduction to scientists conducting research at various institutes on the management of this disease and will allow for ongoing information exchange with leading researchers on this pathogen.