Regional adaptation is a major factor in improving cotton yields.
Recently the development of a highly productive variety which is tolerant to Verticillium Wilt was hailed as a breakthrough. Verticillium Wilt is a widespread vascular disease of cotton which causes serious yield losses. The new tolerant varieties also show good tolerance to premature senescence and a serious new vascular disease, Fusarium Wilt. New varieties which have tolerance to insect pests are also being bred by researchers. The success of okra-leaf varieties in Australia is a world first and these varieties have shown good tolerance to mites and some tolerance to heliothis.