Context The reniform nematode has become a major constraint in central Queensland cotton regions. This prompts a need to develop resistant cotton to control its ongoing impact and spread. Aims This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of imported resistances to local reniform nematode and demonstrated a breeding approach to develop high-performance resistant cotton with the current genetically modified traits. Methods Two introduced resistance sources, in either exotic or local genotypic backgrounds, were tested in infested fields to quantify their effect on suppressing reniform population in soils. Backcrossing was employed to transfer the resistance into elite genotypic backgrounds and the resultant lines were tested and selected in a yield test system to identify high-performance lines. Key results In the infested fields, the resistance from Gossypium barbadense, namely Renbarb, was more capable than Renlon from G. longicalyx, in suppressing the increases of the reniform nematode population, and offered better early plant growth. Three repeated backcrosses were found to be minimally required to re-assure yield potential of the derived families and/or lines with resistance comparable to a recurrent parent. The best lines with Renbarb exhibited higher yields than the commercial varieties in non-infested field conditions and had improved fibre properties. Conclusions High-performing cotton resistant to reniform nematode was developed through incorporating the effective resistance into elite genotypic backgrounds and exploiting within-family variation. Implications Breeding and deploying the resistance should enhance ongoing farm productivity by minimising the impact and spread of reniform.