challenges suggest the need for research with cotton growers, distributers and participants in the production cycle, to understand what people think the future holds for the industry, and it's cotton communities. Combining social perspectives with economic and community development, this research can work with the industry to plan for both the challenges of the marketplace, and the challenge of maintaining community viability. While scientific research helps the cotton industry to achieve better production, social research can help the industry develop a plan for the future that strengthens the social fabric with cotton fibre.

Outline Silverleaf Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a major pest of cotton. This is because it produces sticky honeydew that contaminates lint, reducing the quality of cotton. Silverleaf Whitefly can be controlled with insecticides, but if mismanaged - whitefly will develop resistance. Each year Silverleaf whitefly are collected from cotton production regions and screened for resistance to insecticides, e.g. Admiral, Pegasus and Talstar. The results of this research support Insecticide Resistance Management Strategies (IRMS) to prolong the life of the currently used insecticides

The Problem Cotton aphid and silverleaf whitefly feed on phloem sap and produce sugar rich honeydew that can contaminate open cotton bolls leading to downstream problems with processing. Despite established management strategies for these pests honeydew contaminated crops still occur. The factors that may reduce honeydew in the field include moisture (rainfall), sunlight (UV radiation) and microorganisms (sooty mould fungi). Our experiments aim to establish the importance and effectiveness of each factor in reducing honeydew to levels that are safe to harvest.

Transform insecticide is a new insecticide which was registered for control of the key sap-feeding pests in Australian cotton in 2013. Transform is fast acting, has residual activity and is relatively non-disruptive to beneficial insects. Two field trials are summarised in this paper; demonstrating excellent control of Creontiades dilutus and Aphis gossypii, at 200 and 300 mL/ha. A third trial showed that the addition of salt (0.5% v/v) to Transform significantly improved the knockdown of mirids in pigeon peas. Transform insecticide will be a valuable tool for Australian cotton growers for control of the key sap-feeding pests while not flaring secondary pests such as whiteflies and mites

Solenopsis mealybug (Phenococcus solenopsis) has been a pest of cotton in Australia since initial outbreaks in Emerald and the Burdekin in 2009. They can cause significant loss and damage to bolls via feeding and reduce lint quality due to honeydew production. With no insecticides registered for Solenopsis mealybug in Australia, this research evaluated the impact of insecticides registered for other pests of cotton. Impacts on beneficial insects was also recorded

One of the key challenges growers have when they have water for a limited number of irrigations is confidently knowing when to use this water to optimise yield, quality and water use efficiency. Irrigation timing is critical to minimise negative impacts on yield and fibre quality. New Research is underway to develop irrigation strategies for cotton in a limited water situation and with various row configurations (e.g. solid, single skip row and 2m, 80 inch, 1 in 1 out)

Early planting poses some risk in cool regions resulting in re-planting if cold days or frost occur after emergence. So the question is, will oxodegradable thin plastic film increase soil temperature and conserve seedbed moisture potentially reducing the risk in early planting, while not compromising lint yield and fibre quality of cotton?

Micronaire is a measure of fibre linear density (fineness) and maturity. Factors affecting supply and partitioning of photosynthetic assimilates to fruit affect micronaire. High micronaire occurs when there are good growing conditions and/or fruit number is low. Conversely low micronaire occurs when growing conditions are poor and/or fruit number is high. Little research has established the degree of impact of factors influencing micronaire, so field experiments were conducted to investigate effects of planting date; cultivar; canopy manipulation; and fruit number

With rogue cotton becoming a seemingly common sight along roadways and drainage lines a survey was conducted throughout Queensland and parts of northern New South Wales covering over 13,000km of roads and drainage ways to gauge the extent of the problem. During the survey plants were geotagged for future reference and subsamples taken to determine disease status and pest insect presence

Aim and objectives On average about one third of applied nitrogen is lost which costs the cotton industry $32 million each year. Fertiliser use efficiency can be improved through site-specific application of liquid nitrogen (N) in surface irrigation systems. A field-scale fertigation trial was conducted to assess: (1) the uniformity of distribution of the fertiliser applied; and (2) the agronomic performance of furrow fertigated crop based on fertiliser N recovery. The results reported in this study will aid the development of a set of practical recommendations concerning furrow fertigation in cotton to improve use efficiency of fertiliser N.