Outline Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), an important economic crop of Australia, often experiences yield losses due to environmental fluctuations. Increased ethylene accumulation in waterlogged cotton plant induces young fruit abscission of waterlogged cotton. Earlier studies proposed the effectiveness of anti-ethylene agent aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) for limiting ethylene biosynthesis in plants experiencing a variety of stresses e.g. salinity, drought and waterlogging. Through a series of glasshouse and field experiments, we optimised AVG application rate and time for waterlogged cotton.

The Australian Cotton Industry is developing a carbon (C) footprint calculator for cotton farms. The calculator determines C sequestration and emissions associated with agricultural production (irrigated and dryland crops and grazing enterprises), as well as the net primary productivity (NPP) and C sequestered by native vegetation. NPP is defined as the net flux of carbon from the atmosphere into green plants per unit time (Distributed Active Archive Center, 2014). A case study illustrating the C footprint of a cotton farm near Wee Waa has been developed and is reported here. The calculator will demonstrate how growers can be carbon neutral, or even better, generate carbon credits. In addition, carbon conscious consumers need reassurance that the system used to grow the product is environmentally sustainable

Issues being addressed? Furrow irrigation is the most popular irrigation method in cotton. However, two issues: low efficiency and huge labour involvement concern irrigators due to scarcity in recent years. To address these issues, NCEA and Rubicon Water, Australia are developing a commercial prototype smart furrow irrigation system. The system has shown that both issues disappear with adoption of real-time optimisation and automated furrow irrigation.

Issue being addressed? Cut-off time is vital in furrow irrigation as it significantly affects the efficiency of irrigation. Traditionally, irrigators continue the irrigation until the water reaches the end of the field. Simulation software can also be used to optimise cut-off time. However, first method is proven inappropriate and the latter method is complex. Hence, a simple method to determine cut-off time for farmers to manage furrow irrigation efficiently was evaluated and found to give cut-off times similar to the optimum time.

High-yielding cotton can be grown without causing environmental damage. Most growers aim to do this but believe high levels of inputs are required, but this is not necessarily the case. High (excessive) inputs of resources (water, fertiliser, energy) reduce profitability where these resources are not optimised. Excess N fertiliser results in increased green house gas (GHG) emissions, especially nitrous oxide, which damages the cotton industry's environmentally responsible image. Excess fertiliser and water applications promote excess crop growth and reduce yield and profits. In many cases, growers can produce higher-yielding crops and increase profits by optimising fertiliser and water applications

Issue being addressed A complex of soil pests can cause crop establishment problems in newly sown cotton crops even where seed dressings are used. These occasional pests are difficult to detect prior to planting without sampling. However, as the primary control tactics for soil insects need to be applied prior to or at sowing it is important to check for soil pests that may cause problems to identify fields that may be of risk.

Outline/Question The effectiveness of the Bt refuge strategy relies not only on the production of susceptible moths in refuge crops, but also the movement of these moths within the Bt cotton landscape. However, as this is not a closed system, there is the potential for refuge crops to be contaminated with resistant alleles through the movement of resistant moths from Bollgard crops back into these areas. We investigated whether Cry2Ab resistance affects flight capacity of female Cotton Bollworm moths?

Using information generated from research, the CottASSIST web tools can help cotton growers and consultants refine their management decisions.

Irrigators want to improve water use efficiency (WUE) in terms of bales per megalitre with the intention of maximising their profitability or $/ML. Irrigation benchmarking is crucial if an irrigation enterprise is going to improve its WUE. Knowing how irrigators are performing compared to their region or industry enables continuous improvement in water management.

This project will improve industry capacity to adopt best management practice and improve water use and energy efficiency, through the provision of training, technical support and extension material.