The Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (ACDC) investment is a $13 million Research, Development & Extension investment by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC).
Disease is a high priority issue for the Australian cotton industry. It contributes to significant yield losses and undermines long-term confidence in growing cotton. In extreme cases, some growers have opted out of growing cotton in response to severe and escalating disease pressure. CRDC has invested in cotton disease research over several decades, nevertheless, disease is still one of the leading limitations in the cotton production system.
As a result, in the new CRDC Strategic RD&E Plan 2023-28 (Clever Cotton), CRDC is undertaking a collaborative approach to disease research to reduce the economic impact of current and emerging diseases through the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (the ACDC). The ACDC will develop long-term strategic partnerships, focused on genuine co-design and partner co-investment.
ACDC is a collaboration between Strategic Partners CRDC, UniSQ and the Department of Primary Industries.