Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist, flaxleaf fleabane, originating from South America, is a

major emerging weed threat for dry-land cropping systems in Australia. Conyza bonariensis

is particularly increasing in importance within the northern cropping region of Australia, is

one of the most difficult-to-control weeds in minimum tillage systems, and is tolerant to

important herbicides. Conyza bonariensis is common in fallows, thereby depleting the soil

stored moisture, and has caused a doubling of control costs in certain areas of the northern

cropping region. Control costs are likely to further increase due to the weed’s rapid

development of herbicide resistance. Control of C. bonariensis is greatly dependant on

herbicides, thereby increasing the risk of herbicide resistance.

In this study, ecological aspects of the key life stages of C. bonariensis were investigated. All

findings were compared with a congeneric species, C. sumatrensis (Retz.) E. Walker (tall

fleabane), which is currently not problematic in cropping systems in Australia, despite being

present in the region within other ruderal sites (e.g. roadsides), as a way of determining

what ecological characteristics in C. bonariensis may be responsible for its increase in the

northern region cropping system.

Germination was limited by temperature, moisture and light. Seeds of C. bonariensis

germinated between 10 and 30oC, with optimal germination at 25oC. Conyza bonariensis

seeds were able to germinate under moisture stress down to -0.8 MPa. Light was essential

for germination of C. bonariensis. In a 90% shade environment, C. bonariensis germination

was reduced by 80% compared with a full light environment. With adequate temperature,

light and moisture, C. bonariensis seeds can germinate within 2 to 3 days. Soil type and

stubble levels affected C. bonariensis emergence. Emergence was reduced in heavy black

vertosol soil compared with lighter soils. There was no significant difference in emergence

with 1.8 t ha-1 of stubble compared with no stubble.

There are differences in development and fecundity between C. bonariensis emergence

cohorts. More than 85 000 seeds were produced per plant in the overwintering cohort,

which was 40% higher than the spring emerged plants. The root:shoot ratio at the time of

stem elongation in overwintered C. bonariensis plants was 60% higher than spring emerged

plants. This ecological feature makes the late-autumn cohort more difficult to control.

There was a short period of six weeks between stem elongation and seed production in

C. bonariensis, and with a slow response to herbicide, this adds to the success of this weed.

Conyza bonariensis seed settling velocity and pappus geometry was affected by humidity.

Settling velocity was 0.28 m s-1 at 30% humidity and increased to 0.33 m s-1 at 90% humidity.

Conyza bonariensis seeds were not able to emerge from burial depths of 0.5 cm or greater,

although the length of time that the seed remained viable increased with burial depth. Seed

longevity at 1 cm burial depth was 37 months and at 10 cm depth, this increased to 80

months. Seeds which enter a minimum tillage system typically remain on or near the soil

surface, the preferred germination site for C. bonariensis, therefore adding to the weed’s

success in these systems.

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In comparison with C. sumatrensis, C. bonariensis produced more seed, had a higher relative

reproductive effort, developed more rapidly, could germinate in milder temperatures only

and had a longer lived seed bank. These ecological findings are likely to account for the

greater success of C. bonariensis in minimum tillage cropping systems. The effective longterm

management of C. bonariensis requires an integrated approach to weed management, in

which herbicide use is complemented with non-chemical control measures. Through

limiting soil disturbance, there will be a reduction in the burial of seed and thereby a more

rapid depletion of the seed bank, assuming there is no further addition of seed to the soil

seed bank from elsewhere. Where appropriate, cultivation could be used to bury the seeds

of C. bonariensis and prevent germination or to perhaps kill overwintering plants with large

taproots. Agricultural practices should also aim to maximise competition, including shade,

against C. bonariensis. Diligent control is required to prevent seed set, especially for the

overwintered plants which are more difficult to control and have a higher seed production.

Worldwide, virus diseases, especially Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) cause serious economic losses to cotton production. For example, CLCuD cost the Pakistan industry an estimated US$5 billion between 1992 and 1997. CLCuD is not known to occur in Australia and is a significant biosecurity risk for the industry. The disease is caused by a complex of different begomoviruses and DNA-/3 satellite molecules. Okra, hibiscus and papaya are alternative hosts of the CLCuD complex. However, the survival of the disease between cotton seasons is not fully understood and other alternative weed and crop hosts may also harbour the disease. The CLCuD complex is transmitted by the silverleaf whitefly, which is widespread and abundant in many Australian cotton production areas. In countries to the immediate north of Australia, there is a range of plant species infected with various begomoviruses and DNA-/3 satellites, many of which may have the potential to cause CLCuD. Therefore, establishment of CLCuD, in native and endemic Gossypium and Hibiscus species present in northern Australia is a risk.

The major outcome of this project was a draft contingency plan for CLCuD. The plan contains details on how to detect, contain and eradicate or manage the disease if introduced to Australia. The plan is available for comment by the industry, thus providing opportunity for industry input on what aspects are included in an emergency response for CLCuD. Furthermore, the industry was provided with training on the symptoms of the disease and how to find it which will assist in early reporting and subsequently improve the chance of containment and eradication or management of the disease if introduced.

Alternative CLCuD hosts were clarified within the project including the identification of two new crop hosts, melon and capsicum, and two new native gossypium hosts, Gossypium sturtinanum and Gossypium robinsonii.

Surveys of commercial cotton and native gossypium provided confidence that CLCuD is not present in Australia. It also allowed a thorough evaluation of endemic viral diseases and confirmation that the endemic strain of TSV is not causing economic damage to Australian cotton. CBTD was regularly detected at low levels but during the 2011 season was causing economic damage on a number of properties. This recent outbreak allowed opportunity to evaluate the disease under highly conducive conditions and thereby enhance knowledge on its management. Multiple samples were collected to confirm ratoon cotton as an important disease reservoir.

Preliminary results on characterisation and epidemiology of the polerovirus(es) causing CBTD has highlighted the complexity of the disease. Symptomology, causal agents and disease reservoirs all require clarification. Some of these issues will be addressed in the current CRDC project DAQ1201.

The Australian Future Cotton Leaders program was conducted between June 2009 and September 2010. The project framework was managed by Cotton Australia. The program involved three key stages over 14 months:

Stage 1 􏰁 Leadership development Stage 2 􏰁 Individual skill development Stage 3 􏰁 Leading change

Program Overview

An overview of the Australian Future Cotton Leaders program is outlined below. This customised program is the result of an industry briefing regarding the issues and requirements regarding human capacity building in the current Australian cotton industry. A key focus of this program was participant􏰀s knowledge and skill application via their individual leadership project in the industry. This real time, real industry leadership project is what stands this program apart from other content based leadership programs currently in the market place.

A comprehensive suite of elements make up the Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program. This is based on the initial brief provided by industry in terms of the ultimate industry goals of this program. We align these elements to the leadership maturity continuum and ensure participants are introduced to them at the most appropriate stages of the program.

All elements place demand and accountability on participants in and outside of the face to face workshops as we are encouraging participants to become leaders and to operate in this way throughout the program. For development, it is essential that they actually do this in their industry context. This way we can ensure there is a higher chance they will continue to contribute to their own and hence their business and industry development post this program. In addition, some of the elements require limited funding, so hence greater value is achieved for the cotton industry from the program budget.

This project examined the impact of the expansion of Coal Seam Gas (CSG) production in the Surat Basin on

groundwater levels in the upper Condamine alluvium and the eastern portion of the Great Artesian Basin. The

research highlights potential concerns that would impinge upon the future availability of groundwater to the

irrigation sector. This project benchmarked in priority areas in the Condamine Alluvium groundwater quality,

major ion chemistry, and groundwater and air methane concentrations.

The CQ Cotton Regional Extension project has been a key to the delivery of emerging, cutting edge research information and knowledge to the Central Queensland cotton industry. The direct relevance of southern research to cotton production under the conditions experienced in CQ always has been an issue which could be addressed through regional assessment and adaptation. The project links the national research to the region through development and extension, with a strong focus on the major industry production issues including but not limited to disease, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), soils, nutrition and integrated weed management.

Susan Mass has supported the implementation of national industry‐wide programs particularly the industry Best Management Practices program (myBMP). This project has successfully transitioned to a focus on delivering national outcomes in target lead areas as part of National Development and Delivery Team established by Cotton CRC, CRDC and Cotton Australia, while maintaining a regional extension presence for Central Queensland cotton & grain farming systems. Susan Mass has very effectively merged and integrated strong regional extension support to cotton growers in Central Queensland with delivery of industry extension priorities across the entire industry in the Development and Delivery Team model. Susan is the target lead for disease and farm hygiene.

Recognising the challenges of having regionally relevant research in Central Queensland, this project has facilitated locally based research including boll rot, Bt cotton resistance management, and mealybug biology through strong collaborations. This collaborative approach has included linkage to Department of Environment and Resource Managmeent (DERM) groups and myBMP programs resulting in a high uptake in CQ.

7. Provide an assessment of the likely impact of the results and conclusions of the research

project for the cotton industry. What are the take home messages?

The 15th Australian Cotton Conference, titled “Fashioning the Future” provided a platform

to showcase the Australian cotton industry and enhance the outputs from CRDC funded

R&D and extension activities to the industry at large.

The conference provides for the largest gathering of industry participants in any calendar

year and delegates were presented with information in various formats during the

conference program that demonstrated and extends improvements in outcomes for the

industry.

Industry was challenged to share information, discuss, debate and respond to and adopt

findings of research and projects around maximising individual and industry profitability and

sustainability through the adoption of home‐grown R&D.

The Committee of the 15th Australian Cotton Conference aimed to showcase:

• Australia’s place within the world cotton market

• Australian Long Staple varieties

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• Cotton’s role in meeting the food and fibre security challenge

• Cotton’s contributing role in regional and rural Australia

• Human resource management

• Women in the Australian cotton industry

• Young leaders within the Australian cotton industry

• Promoting our commitment to corporate social responsibility

• Marketing our image/profile to others outside of industry

• Environmentally sustainable cotton growing

• Cotton as a positive/forward thinking, challenging and rewarding industry

• Doing more with less water, fertiliser and energy

• Dryland farming

• Australian cotton fibre for new blends and new opportunities

• A culture for learning

• Technology – today and in the future – delivery; stewardship; farming systems

• Delivery of R&D in 2010

• Engaging next generation farmers

• Water use efficiency

• Diversity of cotton farming systems and enterprises

• Economics

• Human capital – how to make the most of it

• MDBA Basin Plan

• Mining issues – pros and cons

• Industry impact/logistics of new picking technology

• Best Management Practices

Dr John Triantafilis is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of New South Wales.

He works in the area of Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) which involves the computer assisted generation of soil maps using statistical and mathematical methods which couple remote (e.g. gamma-ray spectrometry) and proximal sensing (e.g. electromagnetic [EM] induction) data to soil information and for the ultimate purpose of mapping the soil and regolith in 2- and 3-dimensions.

A Conference Travel application was granted by the CRDC and in order for Dr Triantafilis to attend the 24th Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Environmental and Engineering Problems between April 10-14 (2011) in Charleston, .

Research reports and bulletins, Irrigation insights and updates, Fact sheets,

The Australian cotton industry is internationally recognised as innovative, dynamic and hugely successful. This has in part been attributable to the willingness of the industry to invest in world-­‐class research and

rapidly adopt this emerging science and technologies.

The environment in which the industry operates at he farm, industry and international scale is rapidly changing however. Increased volatility in production, prices and climate along with rising input costs, general shortages

of skilled staff, cotton’s declining share of the global fibre market, greater consumer awareness and rapidly emerging technologies all suggest the future for the industry is going to

be increasing complex, uncertain and volatile.

The challenge for the industry is to continue adapting to these changes and remain profitable, sustainable and competitive in the future.

The Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) on behalf of the Australian cotton industry and a key aspect of the 2013-­‐ 2018 Strategic Plan is to invest in areas that ambitiously seek to transform the industry to be profitable, sustainable and competitive in 20 years time and beyond. This is a bold goal given that the future is unpredictable and the challenge for CRDC is how and where to focus these investments. CRDC’s three themes (Profitable Futures, Sustainable Futures and Competitive Futures) provide a clear framework through which CRDC can invest in long term innovations to address its goal. However, the scope of research in which CRDC could invest in order to position the industry to be profitable, sustainable and competitive in the futureis currently very broad. To narrow this focus a Futures Forum was held in Brisbane on 9 and 10 December 2013 to narrow and identify the areas of priority and possibility for the industry.

This report follows on from the initial ‘Cotton Futures Forum’ Report prepared in April 2014 and provides CRDC with:

• feedback from delegates invited to attend the forum.

• an outline of an innovation investment framework.

• recommendations on the next steps in implementing the Futures Themes

Vertosols, are a heavy clay soil that cover a large part of the world, and are used extensively for irrigated agriculture. They are considered to be quite fertile soils, but development is limited by their physical properties. The dominate clay minerals are smectites which give the soil its distinctive shrink-swell properties. Due to their shrink-swell nature, it has been hypothesised that the cracks serve as preferential flow paths for water and soluble nutrients. Increasing environmental awareness of the impact of nutrient runoff from farms and the rising prices of fertilisers has resulted in farmers wishing to increase the efficiency of their fertiliser use, to do this we need a greater understanding of the movement of nutrients in the soil profile. Over the last 100 years various types of lysimeters have been developed to measure the soil solution. However there are still significant areas of unknown in their impact of on soil hydrology, how effective they are in sampling the soil solution and their effect on the sample collected.

This review aims to summarise and analyse the present understanding of the hydrology and chemical properties of Vertosol soils, assessing the need for monitoring the soil solution under irrigated crops grown on these soils. The methods used for soil solution monitoring are also evaluated and suggestions are made for future research.

Our previous research (Cotton CRC project 2.3.04) showed that cotton growers

considered they lacked the capability to monitor the quality of their farm water.

untilst nutrient monitoring kits were being trialled by growers and environmental

officers, pesticide monitoring was too complex and expensive to be considered for

adoption in a BMP program or environmental management system (EMS). Also,

without the capability for assessment of on-farm water quality for reporting the validation of BMP and CRC milestones 2.3.2 could notbe achieved.

However, there is a continuing need for the use of environmentally hazardous herbicides by industry and an increase in regulatory review and environmental pressure with respectto pestidde use.

A clear hypothesis developed: Could rapid and cost effective analytical tools be developed that could be used in the myBMP program and other environmental managementsystems(EMS).

The research team has a history of successful NRM related projects, particularly in the field of environmental dieintstry, analysis and risk assessment to support resource quality research and development of agro-ecosystems. The team also had considerable experience in the development of ELISA technology; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, which relies on the immune response of mammals to detect chemical targets.

This project aimed to build on existing capability and develop rapid portable test kits for pesticides based on ELISA technology (sensitive and cost effective diagnostic tools that). It was envisaged that these simple test kits could be designed for use in BMP systems to monitor target pesticides and ensure on-farm water quality. They would need to cost significantly less than commercial analyses and provide information immediately, thereby enabling cost-effective environmental management. Potential benefits for users include piece-of-mind regarding water quality with respect to conforming to regulation, subsequent uses of water (eg aquaculture), or to verify environmental stewardship (BMP) and improve brand strength. Such tools and their application were also expected to provide the framework to develop sustainability indicators.