Impact questions Cotton 6. Does cotton reduce the establishment Rating: Reduces establishment by < 10% in all relevant land uses of desired plants? Cotton is a cultivated plant that may establish where land has been disturbed, most particularly in However, as noted in 1, the ability of cotton to dryland and irrigated cropping areas. establish in the relevant land use areas is low. These areas are subject to standard weed management practices that would minimise the impact of any volunteers on the establishment of desired crop plants. In such as along roadsides, desired species may range intensive use areas, from native flora to introduced trees, bushes and shrubs. Such areas are often managed, for either aesthetic or practical reasons (eg maintaining driver visibility) by the removal of larger trees and invasive weeds. Cotton would be treated as a weed and managed accordingly. In the ability of cotton to establish is so rare that it is unlikely to affect nature conservation areas, the establishment of native plants. 7. Does cotton reduce the or Rating: Reduces yield/amount by < 10% in all relevant land uses amount of desired plants? Cotton is not considered a major weed in Australia, and is not considered to threaten agricultural productivity or native biodiversity. The density of cotton volunteers is likely to be low in all relevant land uses and hence there would be a low reduction of yield of other plants. 8. Does cotton reduce the quality of Rating: Low in all relevant land uses products or services obtained from the As discussed in questions 6 and 7 above, cotton has a low impact on both the establishment and land use? yield/amount of desired species and thus there is no expectation that cotton would reduce the quality or characteristics of products, diversity or services available from the relevant land use areas. 9. What is the potential of cotton to Rating: Low in all relevant land uses restrict the physical movement of Cotton is unlikely to establish in and although it may establish in nature conservation people, animals, vehicles, machinery or standard management practices as dryland and irrigated cropping areas intensive use areas, and/or well as environmental conditions would keep the density of the cotton volunteers very low.
Impact questions Cotton 6. Does cotton reduce the establishment of desired plants? Rating: Reduces establishment by < 10% in all relevant land uses Cotton is a cultivated plant that may establish where land has been disturbed, most particularly in dryland and irrigated cropping areas. However, as noted in 1, the ability of cotton to establish in the relevant land use areas is low. These areas are subject to standard weed management practices that would minimise the impact of any volunteers on the establishment of desired crop plants. In intensive use areas, such as along roadsides, desired species may range from native flora to introduced trees, bushes and shrubs. Such areas are often managed, for either aesthetic or practical reasons (eg maintaining driver visibility) by the removal of larger trees and invasive weeds. Cotton would be treated as a weed and managed accordingly. In nature conservation areas, the ability of cotton to establish is so rare that it is unlikely to affect the establishment of native plants. 7. Does cotton reduce the or amount of desired plants? Rating: Reduces yield/amount by < 10% in all relevant land uses Cotton is not considered a major weed in Australia, and is not considered to threaten agricultural productivity or native biodiversity. The density of cotton volunteers is likely to be low in all relevant land uses and hence there would be a low reduction of yield of other plants. 8. Does cotton reduce the quality of products or services obtained from the land use? Rating: Low in all relevant land uses As discussed in questions 6 and 7 above, cotton has a low impact on both the establishment and yield/amount of desired species and thus there is no expectation that cotton would reduce the quality or characteristics of products, diversity or services available from the relevant land use areas. 9. What is the potential of cotton to restrict the physical movement of people, animals, vehicles, machinery and/or Rating: Low in all relevant land uses Cotton is unlikely to establish in nature conservation and although it may establish in dryland and irrigated cropping areas or intensive use areas, standard management practices as well as environmental conditions would keep the density of the cotton volunteers very low.
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