The 2017-18 CRDC Researchers' Handbook is a key resource for all researchers working with, or interested in applying for funding from, the CRDC. Updated annually, the Handbook outlines the key information researchers need to know, including key dates, the application process, funding and stipends available, the payment, evaluation and reporting processes and the CRDC’s intellectual property policy. These, and other critical details needed by researchers are provided in the Handbook.

In eastern Australia, Vettosols are widely utilised for the production of irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) due to their inherent fertility and large water-holding capacity. However, irrigated

agriculture in eastern Australia is faced with a decline in the availability of good quality irrigation

water sources with low electrolyte concentrations and small Na' contributions.

Consequenrly, alternative water resources that contain larger contributions of Na are becoming

increasingly relevant as potential irrigation sources. It is known that the application of Na rich

waters as irrigation has the potential to increase the Na content of the soil, and that this will affect

the structural condition of Vertosols. However, the extent to which these poor quality water

resources will influence the structural characteristics of different Vertosols is unknown. In addition

to this knowledge gap, there is currently no suitable predictor of dispersive behaviour for this soil

type, particularly where Vertosols are irrigated with different water quality solutions.

The research conducted this study aimed to characterise the impact of different increments of

water quality on the structural stability of different Vertosols. Once this was concluded, the study

looked to assess the impact of irrigation water quality on the structural stability, structural form and

soil water retention properties of intact soil columns. knowledge of the structural stability of the

soils investigated was then used to derive a model describing the impact of water quality on the

structural stability of different cotton producing soils.

Dr Om P. Jhorar, Plant Pathologist at Narrabri NSW 2390 attended Pre-conference workshop at Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand, 8th International Congress of Plant Pathology, Australasian Plant Pathology Society Biennial General Meeting and Plant Health Australia Workshop “Developing a World Class Plant Pathology Diagnostic Network”

Outcome:

New strategies planned to manage black root rot and other interactive pathogens were developed from the meeting and these will be tested in a new project (submitted to CRDC). These strategies are:

• Initiate trials including Thermal-biodisinfestation of the soil using large volumes of biofumigation crops decomposed under clear polyethylene sheets over a period of three to four weeks to reduce T. basicola spore population and study its impact on other seedling diseases.

• Initiate the process of importing the seed of new biofumigating agent that may help reverse the soil borne pathogens of cotton seedling diseases including T. basicola.

• Initiate trials on managing black root rot of cotton in accordance to Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Fov.

Outputs:

• One poster presentation.

• Three discussion participation.

• Initiation of new experiments to meet current and future challenges

The paper 'Detection, persistence and control of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinifectum in cotton seed

in Australia', presented at the colloquium, was successful in providing factual information to USA

researchers on the management options that would minimize the risk of the two Australian strains being

introduced into the USA on export fuzzy cottonseed or on planting seed. A paper presented by Dr A

Bell corroborated some of the results presented, particularly that the fungus does riot survive in stored

productfor more than six months. This can be used in negotiations with USA officials should the matter

of Australian isolates be raised again.

The research commenced in the USA on characterisation of US isolates of the Fusarium wilt, following collaboration with the QDPl, indicates a greater diversity of the pathogen in the USA than previously

recognised. Should isolates with similar characterlstics to the Australian isolates be found in the USA

then proposed quarantine restrictions on imports should riot apply. The QDPl fusarium wilt research

team should continue to collaborate with Drs Colyer and Davis during their survey of the pathogen in

the USA.

Dr Kochman also obtained information on a new insect resistance gene that has been patented by

Syngenta. The gene produces an exotoxin that has been called the Vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip)

and is unlike current Bacillus thuringiensis derived proteins in transgenic cotton varieties. This

information has been passed onto QDPl entomologists. The gene is currently carried in Coker 312.

This variety is very susceptible to Fusarium wilt. To date combination of this gene with the two Bt genes

currently available has apparently been prohibited by Monsanto (according to Syngenta staff at the

conference).

Research, Development and Extension funding, has traditionally utilised the extension arm (Cotton Industry Development Officers) within the industry to deliver and be responsible for both extension and training activities. To date, this has been an effective form of delivery. This training extension format strives to regionalise the adoption of innovative technology and empower producers to solve their own local issues through facilitated learning. The adoption of the innovative technology or practice change, uses either, or in many cases both, the local extension officers and/or researchers to create adoption. As a generalisation, some extension activities can be classed as a form of training as they impart knowledge and facilitate management change through active learning methods

Crop and weed sensing technology has existed as a research tool in Australia since 1984. The concept was originally developed by researcher Warwick Felton at the DPI Tamworth. The reliable application of the concept in agriculture has only recently been possible with the commercial release of 'Weedseeker' and 'Greenseeker' selective application equipment by US based company N-Tech Industries. Selective spot spraying technology was commercialised in the USA seven years ago and has found wide commercial application around the globe in all types of agricultural environments. Sensors can be used to selectively apply herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers and fungicides to plants in a wide range of agricultural situations including cotton, broad-acre, horticulture and viticulture. Merrilong Pastoral Company at Spring Ridge in northern NSW imported the first 64 Weedseeker sensors for broad acre use into Australia in 2002 using matching grant money provided by AFFA under the 'Farm Innovation Program'. Anywhere a product can be targeted to the plant and not bare soil, the weedseeker can provide large savings and big environmental benefits. DPI research in Northern NSW has shown that average weed cover in fallow paddocks is as low as 20% of the paddock area. This means that often 80% of the herbicide applied falls on bare soil and is wasted. This is inefficient, expensive and environmentally unstainable. There are now 13 commercial spray-rigs across NSW and Qld operated by both farmers and contractors achieving large reductions in fallow herbicide use and savings of 80% and better

Producers, agribusiness advisors, researchers and natural resource managers in the drought-stricken dryland grains and mixed farming regions of Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia are working together to respond to a drier and more variable climate. Representatives from the Bureau of Meteorology, the Bureau of Rural Sciences, Meat & Livestock Australia, the Birchip Cropping Group and Managing Climate Variability have teamed up with local producers and advisors to develop responses to climate change that can be applied on farm.

This is the sixth edition of a listing of L WRRDC-funded R&D - the publication also includes a list of projects sponsored by the National Land and Water Resources Audit (Audit). This document includes both current research projects, and all projects completed under the management of the Corporation or the Audit. The listing of current R&D projects is arranged under our R&D topic and priority areas, and includes a brief description of all the major, commissioned R&D programs that the Corporation manages, or in which it is a funding partner. The Audit's projects are detailed in the section on Consultancies

With climate change predictions pointing to Australia's climate becoming even more variable, farmers are looking for more accurate seasonal forecasts that can be interpreted to help them make better decisions about planting,

This booklet is part of a series that describes the status of data and information relevant to national indicators agreed under the National Natural Resource Management Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. It specifically reports on the status of information relating to indicators of community and social processes relevant to or affected by NRM programs as well as measures of the adoption of sustainable development and production techniques. These indicators are based on the following headings: * Land managers' capacity to change & adopt sustainable management practices * Capacity of regional organisations and social and institutional foundations of NRM * Community