Quest for cotton that behaves like synthetic

MELBOURNE: The dream of a cotton shirt that does not need ironing could one day be a reality.

CSIRO researchers are examining what determines the length, strength and thickness of cotton fibres to see if a plant can be grown with the characteristics of a synthetic.

‘‘We’re looking into the structure of cotton cell walls and harnessing the latest tools in synthetic biology to develop the nextgeneration cotton fibre,’’ Dr Madeline Mitchell said.

Through more than 30 years of improved cotton breeding using genetically modified techniques, the CSIRO and its partner, Cotton Seed Distributors, have reduced insecticide use in cotton growing by 85% and cut herbicide use by 60%. Australian cotton is also the most waterefficient in the world.

It is hoped that same drive for innovation can lead to clothing with less environmental impacts when washed. Whenever a synthetic material such as polyester or nylon is cleaned, thousands of nonbiodegradable microfibres enter the waterways, building up in the food chain.

But when cotton is washed, the fibres shed are biodegradable and break down naturally.

The research is part of a $A13 million ($NZ14.4 million) investment in science that applies engineering principles to biology. — AAP