| Agriculture

Embrapa launches genetically modified cotton cultivars

BRS 700FL B3RF has long to extra-long fiber, while BRS 800 B3RF is resistant to diseases such as ramularia

06.05.2025 | 18:00 (UTC -3)

Edna Santos

Two new cotton cultivars with advanced genetic technologies have just been made available to Brazilian producers. Developed by Embrapa, in partnership with IST Brasil - Lyntera, the BRS 700FL B3RF and BRS 800 B3RF varieties promise to meet distinct market demands: one with high-quality fiber aimed at the premium clothing segment and the other with strong resistance to diseases that challenge the sustainability of cotton farming in the country.

The first, BRS 700FL B3RF, is recommended for those seeking to add value with a long to extra-long fiber, with fine thickness and high resistance. Its performance is similar to that of imported Egyptian and Pima cotton, traditionally used to produce fine, high-value fabrics. BRS 800 B3RF focuses on health and productivity, and is recommended for regions where the presence of diseases such as ramularia and pests such as root-knot nematodes compromise the viability of the crop.

Both cultivars are transgenic and feature Bollgard 3 RRFlex technology, which protects against the main cotton caterpillars and allows the use of glyphosate herbicide. According to the researchers responsible, these characteristics reduce the number of pesticide applications and operational costs, in addition to contributing to more sustainable practices.

Excellent fiber for demanding markets

The BRS 700FL B3RF cultivar was developed with a focus on fiber quality, reaching an average length of 33,5 millimeters and exceeding 34 millimeters in more than half of the locations where it was tested. Researcher Camilo Morello, coordinator of the Cotton Genetic Improvement Program at Embrapa Algodão (PB), states that this performance is unprecedented in the country.

“This cultivar aims to meet the demand for high-quality fibers with greater added value, since Brazil imports extra-long fibers from Egyptian or Pima cotton plants. With the BRS 700FL B3RF, we have achieved a fiber quality that is very similar, but in upland cotton, preserving productivity and health,” says Morello.

In addition to its length, the fiber has a resistance of 32,8 gf/tex and a micronaire of 3,7, which ensures good conditions for spinning and finishing. The average productivity of the cultivar is 4.524 kilos per hectare, with a fiber yield of 38%, tall size and long cycle. These numbers represent an improvement over the first transgenic long fiber cultivar launched by Embrapa, BRS 433FL B2RF, whose fiber reached around 32,5 millimeters.

The BRS 700FL B3RF is recommended for crops in the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, with emphasis on the states of Bahia, Tocantins, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rondônia, Minas Gerais, Paraná, São Paulo, Paraíba and Ceará.

Loss reduction and savings on pesticides

The other cultivar launched, BRS 800 B3RF, stands out for its resistance to multiple diseases, including ramularia leaf spot, blue disease and bacterial blight (angular leaf spot). In addition, it is resistant to the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), one of the most problematic cotton pests, capable of rendering entire crops unviable.

According to Embrapa researcher Nelson Suassuna, ramularia is the disease that requires the highest number of fungicide applications in Brazil, up to eight during the cycle in susceptible varieties.

He says that another important problem in cotton production systems is the root-knot nematode, which causes a drastic reduction in crop production, often making production unviable. “The new cultivar offers producers a way to reduce these costs and still maintain production in affected areas, such as Mato Grosso and Bahia, where the nematode is present in approximately 25% and 37% of the areas, respectively,” highlights Suassuna.

With an early cycle, the BRS 800 B3RF is ideal for the second harvest – a common practice in Mato Grosso – and for late crops under pivots, as is the case in Bahia. Average productivity reaches 5 kilos per hectare, with a fiber yield of 42% and a length of 29,5 millimeters.

The cultivar is recommended for cultivation in Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Bahia, Ceara, Maranhão, Paraiba, Piauí, Rondônia, Tocantins, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná.

Genetic technology and regional adaptation

Both cultivars use Bayer's Bollgard 3 RRFlex technology, widely adopted for its protection against major cotton bollworms such as Heliothis and Spodoptera. This transgenic technology also confers tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate, facilitating weed management.

Another strong point is the regional adaptation of the cultivars. BRS 700FL B3RF, with a longer cycle and high growth regulator requirements, is recommended for areas with greater technical and environmental control. BRS 800 B3RF, with a short cycle and less management requirements, adapts well to second-harvest areas, expanding the options for producers in different states and climates.

Cotton market in transformation

The availability of these cultivars comes at a strategic time. Brazil is one of the largest cotton exporters in the world, but it still imports specialty fibers to serve textile industries focused on the luxury segment. With the BRS 700FL B3RF, there is an expectation that part of this demand can be met domestically, adding value to the national product and reducing dependence on imports.

At the same time, BRS 800 B3RF represents an important reinforcement for the sustainability of the production chain, especially in regions where diseases and pests have been compromising crop profitability. The new cultivars will be available to producers through IST Brasil - Lyntera, a company licensed to multiply and commercialize the seeds.