CSIRO Plant Industry's leader of cotton research in Narrabri, New Sout Wales, Dr Greg Constable, is Australia's smartest scientist, according to The Bulletin magazine.

Selected from scientists researching astronomy to zoology, Dr Constable shone through as the leading candidate to take the award for his cotton research.

Science was one of the 10 categories of The Bulletin's Smart 100 edition, with nine other finalists and one winner per category. The advisory panel for the Science category focused on the researcher's scientific quality, originality, innovation and community benefit.

Dr Constable has been researching cotton for 33 years. The cotton varieties bred by him and his team have led to increased yield and significantly reduced pesticide use.

"It is indeed a great honour and I am surprised to be selected as there are many branches of science and many excellent scientists in Australia," says Dr Constable.

"This award is important especially in recognising and publicising some good news from science. Research has facilitated a large increase in cotton yield while halving environmental impact - that result is pleasing."

A recent economic evaluation of Dr Constable's breeding team's research showed that for every dollar invested in his group $86 was returned to the cotton industry.

"CSIRO is a fantastic place for science. Our research there now will be looking to overcome diseases in cotton and improving cotton fibre quality," says Dr Constable.

"The Bulletin should be applauded for The Smart 100 initiative - if the stories inspire any aspiring new scientists, then the benefits will be large."

At the presentation ceremony Dr Constable thanked his predecessor Dr Norm Thomson and team at Narrabri and Canberra for their contribution to cotton research.