The cotton fields are considered to be a biologically 'sterile' environment because of the constant use of pesticides and herbicides, however little work has been done to document the potential benefits of altering crop management practices which may result in less reliance on chemicals, greater soil biodiversity, and improved soil structure. Studies in southern Australia (Haines and Uren 1990, Rovira et al 1987) have shown rotations and conservation tillage to double the presence of soil fauna. Haines and Uren (1990) also noted improvements in soil structural properties which was seen to be a consequence of increased soil biological activity .

This report presents the results of an impact assessment of a cluster of six Bt Technologies projects funded by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) over the years ending June 2010 to 2018. In addition to CRDC funding (a combination of statutory levies paid by industry participants and matching Commonwealth funding), other resources were provided by research organisation contributions.

Methods

The six individual projects were first analysed qualitatively within a logical framework that considered project rationale, objectives, activities/outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Project Principal Investigators made comments on, and further inputs to, these logical frameworks. Some of the impacts identified through this process were then valued in financial terms. Benefits were estimated for a range of time frames up to 30 years from the year of last investment (2017/18). Past and future cash flows, expressed in 2016/17 dollar terms, were discounted to the year 2016/17 using a discount rate of 5% to estimate investment criteria. Investment criteria reported included Present Value of

This Guide provides you with a comprehensive summary of the key cotton crop protection issues, and is brought to you by CRDC and the Australian cotton industry's joint extension program, CottonInfo, in partnership with Crop Consultants Australia (CCA).

In this paper we present data on the effects of N fertilizer application to a wheat rotation crop on soil strength, nutrient uptake by the following cotton crop and cotton lint yields which were obtained from two studies on rotation crop management which commenced in 1993. The aim of this research was to define the best rotation/management combination whereby yields and quality of subsequent cotton crops can be maximized and sustained over the long-term.

There is a saying that you should &quote;begin with the end in mind&quote;. How does Australia's cotton industry see its position in the community by the year 2006? How will we be organising our activities, solving problems and operating as a rural industry in the next ten years? If we are to meet the challenges facing modem agriculture and at the same time have real influence over our destiny, the cotton industry is going to have to focus its energies on a shared vision of its future. Once we have some agreed image of where we want to be, the industry can set about working more effectively towards building that future. Security, prosperity and a greater acceptance by the community are likely to be key elements of that future.

Australian cotton production has fluctuated dramatically over the last five years. The industry’s capacity to respond to these rapid and extreme fluctuations is largely attributable to the strength of its people, their networks and the effectiveness of these relationships. Trusted relationships and networks have been the basis for industry innovation, collaboration and effective change and are of critical

importance as the industry continues to grow and new people enter the industry. Vital to the industry’s on-going success in a future of increasing complexity and uncertainty are strong and durable networks, both throughout the industry and with other sectors. This theme creates opportunities for these relationships to be developed and continue being supported. (CRDC, 2013)

The Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association has been an active and highly functioning local growers association. It was incorporated in 1991 and has operated under its current constitution since then. Given recent changes by the regulator in relation to constitutions, this project funding supported the CHCG&IA to revise their constitution and adopt the model rules as recommended by the Office of Fair Trading. The CHCG&IA needed to develop a policy and procedure manual to support their constitution and ensure they meet any regulatory requirements.

Travel funding to attend the Agriculture and Climate Change Conference in March 2017 in Spain for one researcher. The conference focused on the likely impact of climate change on crop production and explored approaches to maintain and increase crop productivity in a changing climate. Approximately 300 delegates attended the conference, and thus provided an opportunity for numerous seminars, posters and discussions on climate change research in a diverse range of crops. The themes for the sessions included: increased agricultural uncertainty; modelling and its application; impacts on nutrition, quality and resource use efficiency; abiotic stress; effects of CO2 on plant growth; plant-microbe interactions; innovative agronomic and breeding practices; and new crops for a new climate.

A couple of the particularly interesting oral presentations included the agronomic and metabolic responses of rice during simultaneous heat and drought stress and subsequent recovery; and the impact of elevated CO2 concentrations on interactions between grapevines and the pathogen Plasmopara viticola ). Other interesting presentations highlighted some of the other climate research that is conducted in Australia. For instance, an interesting presentation about adapting to risk in marginal dryland cropping systems of Southern Australia and one Australian Researcher presented research on the implications of a changing climate for pastures and the Australian dairy industry. Several of the presentations re-enforced that climate change offers exploitable opportunities that we need to utilise in order to offset potential losses in production. The opportunity was taken also to have a conversation with Dr Kenneth Boote about the use of models in capturing responses to elevated atmospheric [CO2]. Several papers are referenced in the presentations that will be useful to read, and the opportunity to participate in an Author workshop run by Elsevier that gave hints and tips for publishing research articles in high quality journals.

Australian research was well received by the international scientific community. This was an exciting opportunity to showcase research conducted in the Australian Cotton Industry, and there was a lot of interest regarding how the cotton industry operates in Australia. There was significant interest from other scientists regarding our in-field chambers and the experiments being conducted in the facility. It was clear that the Australian approach was novel and unique in this area, with presentations generating discussions about the importance of in-field research into climate change interactions. This trip was important to begin linkages with European agricultural scientists, in addition to our close collaborations with U.S. research. A number of scientistsindicated an expression of interest in continuing discussions and looking for collaborations in this area.

This project funded the travel for one researcher to present information on Australian cotton fibre quality (spinning and dyeing quality) at ACSA EMD tour seminars in India. Presentations are made to buyer and sellers (spinners & merchants) of Australian cotton. Support ACSA members with technical and scientific information on the processing of Australian fibre.Extend information on Australian fibre quality to spinners in the new and growing market of India. Provide support to ACSA members in conversations about Australian fibre quality. Liaise with spinners from each country to hear about the qualities of fibre they require.

Green mind, Creontiades dilitus (Stal), is an important sporadic pest of cotton at the seedling stage and through early squaring. Together with other sucking pests such as thrips, aphids and mites, they will continue to demand specific control actions after the introduction of transgenic (Bt) cotton varieties. In some seasons green mind infestations result in the loss of early squares and delays in crop maturity. Controlling green minds, particularly during early squaring, relies on the use of broad spectrum organophosphates (dimethoate or omethoate) or synthetic pyrethroids. The use of these products disrupts beneficial insect populations at a crucial early stage of the season. For this reason it is important that controls be applied only when necessary. The decision to control green minds is further complicated by the uncertainties of sampling and action thresholds. In this paper we present some of our recent investigations related to sampling and damage caused by green minds in cotton.

This project sets out to address some of the problems associated with growing dryland cotton using reduced and notillage practices, and look for possible solutions which will allow cotton to be integrated into sustainable farming systems for these important production areas.