CRDC's Annual Operating Plan for 2006–07 (AOP): the fourth annual operating plan under the CRDC's Strategic R&D Plan 2003–2008.

CRDC's Annual Operating Plan for 2003–04 (AOP): the first annual operating plan under the CRDC's Strategic R&D Plan 2003–2008.

Growers whose water supply is critically low and are experimenting with novel ways to grow cotton with this limited water. These include irrigated skip-row techniques which are showing promise following a number of successful crops in recent seasons. However

no recent studies to examine the response of new cotton varieties, particularly Bollgard II to varying irrigation regimes under various row configurations have been carried out. Answers are also sought on the results of applying minimal irrigations to skip-row plantings and on the long term economics of using skip-row cotton within cropping systems.

The focus of the project was on both irrigated and dryland farming systems and was involved with agronomy and physiology to understand water, in a systems context in relation to irrigation, raingrown cropping, crop rotation, fallow, management practice, row configuration etc., using modelling capacity, field research, farming systems approach and adult learning (associated with the RWUE 2 project).

Trials were conducted during 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons on an irrigated cotton growing property (27° 04.5′ S, 150° 59.7′ E) in the Daandine area near Macalister on the Darling Downs.

The initial objective was to be conduct over a number of seasons: row configuration x irrigation (quantity and timing) x variety (Bollgard II and conventional) x soil type (low and high PAWC soils) trials. Plantings were made in mid and late October 2003 and 2004 respectively to establish a single –skip configuration at 1 m row spacing. Varieties were Sicot 14B (Bollgard II) , Sicot 80 (conventional) in year 1 and Sicot 80B (Bollgard II), Sicot 80 in year 2. The plots received either 1 or 2 irrigations. Detailed crop growth and soil water extraction data were monitored as were yield and fibre quality.

As expected plots receiving 2 irrigations out-yielded those with only one irrigation. The grower co operator estimates the value of the second irrigation to him in 2003-04 was about $1000 per ha for the extra 1.1 ML applied. The project if completed will be capable of examining the economics of various of row configurations, variety, soil moisture , rainfall and irrigations applied.

The 2003-04 trial, in addition to adding to the data set on soil moisture uptake dynamics, provided the opportunity to make a direct comparison between Bollard II and conventional cotton, as Sicot 80B and its “equivalent”, Sicot 80, were planted. Given the same irrigation treatment Bollgard II and conventional were similar in yield (lint bales/ha) and fibre quality although Bollgard II was earlier maturing and appeared to use less soil moisture than conventional.

In both seasons soil moisture was used in and close to the plant line before the middle of the skip, where its use down the profile was rapid as shown by the higher extraction front velocity. There is some evidence that the roots position themselves into the mid-skip area and wait for a plant signal before water extraction commences in that area. Further evidence of this is required and investigations would be assisted by the use of mini-rhizotrons. If this theory is correct, then the search for the switch (fraction of transpirable water in the plant line could be conducted.

More trials need to be carried out so the data set can encompass various climatic conditions and soil types. Then Ozcot can be enhanced and management scenarios investigated. Funding restraints are presently preventing further progress of this work.

Research on irrigated soils used for cotton production at the Agricultural Research Centre, Narrabri, over the past six years has identified several areas of concern. Information in these areas is needed to improve soil management and thereby cotton production. Unfortunately, limitations on manpower and time have prevented further research on the identified problems being carried out. Many of the problems are well defined, and it was perceived that a modest input of research resources would 61icitiiifonnation of scientific and practical value. As such, these problems would make excellent Honours projects to be carried out by final year Rural Science students, Funds were sought from Council for operating costs, travel and casual labour to encourage students to partake in projects based at Narrabri. It was envisaged that two projects would be investigated within each academic year.

The second year of the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC has seen a great deal of activity. With the administration and research management systems and policies well established, focus shifted from project development to project consolidation. The Cotton CRC now has 160 active projects under way in every cotton growing region in Australia. Strong collaborative partnerships between industry, catchment and community partners have ensured the direction and relevance of research and extension priorities. The Strategic Plan was revised in January 2007. Several goals were clarified and key performance indicators were defined more clearly. The Cotton CRC created a new goal for climate change and variability and the focus of precision agriculture was changed from research to adoption. The Cotton CRC attracted additional research funds for new projects from the Australian Greenhouse Office, Monsanto Ltd, the Condamine Alliance, Queensland Murray Darling Committee, Borders Rivers-Gwydir CMA, National Water Commission, Central West CMA, SACOA Pty Ltd and Land and Water Australia.U

This project validated and enhanced the use of the BDI as a measure of the relative disruption

(‘softness’/’hardness’) of the insecticide regimes applied to cotton fields. The project focused on two

Area-Wide Management groups in Northern NSW: The Boggabilla landcare group in the Macintyre

valley, and the near Pilliga, NSW. Intensive

sampling of pest and beneficial insects was undertaken on fields within both groups, and the paddock

level data was analysed in association with agronomic, spray and yield data provided by growers and

consultants.

The project quantified how the insecticide programs applied to individual cotton fields affected

populations of beneficial insects and spiders present in those fields. The project also compared the

abundance and diversity of insects and spiders in Bt and conventional cotton fields. A comparison of

the effectiveness of different sampling methods for measuring the was also undertaken.

By exploring the relationships between pests, beneficials, spray regimes and economic performance of

individual fields within AWM groups, this project has collected a unique large scale and multi-season

data set. The results have been analysed within the context of area-wide management. The results

strongly suggest that IPM applied on an areawide scale is at least as profitable as more disruptive

approaches, whilst minimising environmental impacts and potentially reducing the risk of resistance to

insecticides increasing.

By quantifying the linkages between beneficial arthropods, Helicoverpa densities, spray regimes and

the economic performance of individual fields this project provides information that will assist AWM

groups to better manage their insect pests (particularly Helicoverpa) in a sustainable and profitable

manner.

Project CSE103C has been interwoven with the Macintyre Valley IPM / IRMS Trial. In particular, M.

Dillon was a member of the Trouble Shooting Committee for this trial, provided assistance with the

analyses of insecticide use and bug checking data arising from the trial, and helped present findings to

the TIMS Committee. The trial data were supplemented with invertebrate data collected

independently in this project, and earlier studies (especially through interactions with the Boggabilla

Landcare group when developing the BDI concept).

Taking advantage of a GRDC funded trip to attend the Annual meetings of Soil Science SOC of America held in Indianapolis, I requested CRDC funds to visit laboratories involved in research related to Bt-crops and soil biota ie. laboratories of Dr. G. Stotzky at New York

University and Dr. DC. Coleman at the University of Georgia. Both for the CRDC and Dr.

Gupta this would these visits would provide access to the knowledge of the work related to

GM crops (including Bt and herbicide tolerant crops), in particular to latest techniques.

Prior to the Annual meetings Dr. Gupta visited laboratories at the Centre for Microbial

Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, in particular the group headed by Dr. I.

Tiedje known for the development of molecular techniques to study soil Tmcrobial

communities (GRDC funds). Once again this provided us with an opportunity to be exposed

to latest techniques such as DNA Tmcroarrays for parallel analysis of (even quantify) many

Tmcrobial genes.

Early season pests present a great challenge for pest decisions makers, as any disruption

to beneficials early in the season is likely to result in the flaring of pests and increase the

necessity for further sprays later in the season. Aphids have the potential to reduce yield,

create sticky cotton and are vectors for Cotton Bunchy Top Disease (CBT). The high levels

of resistance to a number of chemical groups in aphids mean that adherence to the Insect

Resistance Management Strategy (IRMS) and an effective whole farm Integrated Pest

Management (IPM) strategy for the management of aphids is critical.

This project continued the major study of waterlogging on heavy clay soils after furrow irrigation or heavy rainfall. The experiments concentrated on cotton, but some detailed work was also done on summer legumes to study detailed reasons for yield reduction daring waterlogging.

I. The optimum field slope for furrow irrigation was 1:1000 to 1:1500

2. The best yields were obtained from running siphons for 4h at each irrigation. Longer times of running siphons reduced yield, especially with slopes of 1:2000.

3. Foliar nitrogen fertilizer, applied prior to an irrigation which caused waterlogging, minimised the yield loss due to waterlogging, particularly with low to moderate soil N status.

4. Waterlogging-induced iron chlorosis has been found to limit crop growth of grain legumes and possibly cotton at some sites. Further research is needed on methods of identifying and reducing this effect.

CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology were invited to be part of the to China during February. The invitation was extended to give the delegation the technical credentials with which to comment on the spinning ability of Australian cotton. It was also thought that a preliminary report on the Cotton CRC Mill Survey project outcomes (from Japan, Korea and Australia) to be delivered at the seminars sponsored by ACSA on this mission would provide useful information to Chinese spinners contemplating using Australian cotton. For the same reason Mr Peter Cottle, Director of Cotton Australia and General Manager of Cotton Operations at Clyde Agriculture, was invited to provide expertise in sustainable cotton growing. The trip was organized by ACSA with help from the Austrade Offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. It was the second trip to China by an ACSA delegation in two years. Bureau of Economic Operations, State Economic & Trade Commission (SETC) SETC is responsible for the guidance and coordination of the key industrial operations. It monitors and analyses the operational situation and regulate the current national economic operations. Textile industry is one of the industries under the supervision and guidance of SETC. General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (AQSIQ) AQSIQ monitors quarantine of imports and exports. The organization has 12 cotton inspection centers for inspecting quality and reconciliation of disputes. Defines and polices quality standards for all imports. Chinese International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) The China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Arbitration Commission and also known as the Court of Arbitration of the China Chamber of International Commerce from 1 October 2000) is a permanent international commercial arbitration institution which independently and impartially resolves, by means of arbitration, contractual or non contractual, economic and trade disputes. State Planning & Development Commission (SPDC) SPDC reports directly to the State Council. This agency is responsible for devising the national policy for national economic and social development, balancing total demand and supply, import and export, planning the trade of key farm produce, regulating the market to prevent shortage or surplus, coordinating major developments and monitoring investment projects. It sets rules governing the imports of key agricultural commodities including cotton under the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system. One division is in charge of the allocation of the annual cotton quota. Bureau of Cotton and Jute All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (SMC) SMC is a government organisation responsible for the procurement, processing, marketing and distribution of cotton in China. China freed up the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperative’s monopoly over cotton procurement, marketing and distribution system in 1999 and again in 2001. It is likely to be restructured into a new organisation called the China Cotton Association. China National Cotton Exchange Established in 1999, the Exchange’s major function is to manage the National Cotton Exchange Market, China’s version of a cotton trading market, not a real futures market. Twenty-two remote terminals have been established in the main cotton distribution centres. China Cotton Reserve Management Corporation Previously this organization was part of SMC. Its primary role is to manage the national cotton reserve in accordance with national policy. Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation It formulates and implements specific policies and reform plans for foreign trade, economic cooperation and foreign investment. China Cotton Textile Association Previously this organisation was one section of the Ministry. It is now an industry organisation with membership from the industry itself. The Association is funded through membership fees, some government support and revenue generated from events and services. It collects and researches industry information and advises on state industry policies and industrial standards. Additional Note: Recent reports have stated that SDPC, SETC and MOFTEC will be restructured and amalgamated into one government body possibly this year. However, these organisations currently all exist.