This project aimed to enhance and support the sustainability of the Australian cotton industry by: providing continued capacity in plant virology expertise and diagnostics, building industry awareness of viral disease

Viral diseases of cotton are of economic significance in many parts of the world. Only two virus diseases have been reported from Australian cotton crops, Cotton bunchy top (CBT) and Tobacco streak virus (TSV).

With rogue cotton becoming a seemingly common sight along roadways and drainage lines a survey was conducted throughout Queensland and parts of northern New South Wales covering over 13,000km of roads and drainage way

Cotton leaf roll dwarf virus (the causal agent of Cotton blue disease) or a virus closely related to this species was detected in an asymptomatic Sea Island cotton plant (Gossypium barbadense) in Laivai, Timor Leste.<

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) causes serious losses to cotton production in many countries, such as India and Pakistan.