Introducing vetch into rotations in cotton-wheat systems of northern NSW has a number of benefits. This study investigated the phosphorus (P) nutrition and response of 3 vetch species grown in soil from long-term rotations at the Australian Cotton Research Institute, Narrabri, NSW. Labile P increased by 36% in the surface soil of long term rotations where vetch was included in the rotation. This resulted in up to 17% more dry matter production of vetch grown in cottonwheat- vetch rotation soils in a system where legumes remained responsive to P application. Part of this response can be attributed to improved nodulation and N uptake associated with higher available P where vetch is included in the rotation. Of the three vetch varieties examined, Woolypod vetch indicated the greatest P efficiency. The study demonstrated that legume inclusion in rotation improved P status and production as well as providing labile N for following crops.

The CRDC-funded project, -Ecology of Helicoverpa punctigera revisited: implications for Bt resistance-, followed our inland trip in May 2009 to determine the extent of winter breeding of the native budworm, Helicoverpa punctigera in the Diamantina and Eyre Creek floodplains, and collect larvae for testing Bt resistance in these populations, in collaboration with Sharon Downes (CSIRO). We have now conducted four field trips to far western Queensland, and established a network of pheromone traps and permanent vegetation monitoring sites in a transect from Bourke to Birdsville and Bedourie. The inland floodplains, where the annual verbine, Cullen cinereum is common, can support continued activity of H. punctigera well into spring/summer in response to floods/winter rains. In contrast to what was found by the Heliothis Inland Research Group (HIRG) in the 80s-90s, very few host plants and larvae are now found in the mulga areas, which serve as a -bridge- between the far western floodplains and deserts and the eastern cropping regions. Substantial moth numbers were caught only in the pheromone traps in the floodplains (Bedourie and Birdsville). Traps at Windorah, Eromanga, Thargomindah and Eulo (in the mulga areas) had very low numbers. In the cropping areas at Bourke and Narrabri, moth numbers were also low. These results suggest that there has been very little immigration from the inland into the cropping regions in recent years

Fusarium wilt of cotton caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp vasinfectum remains an economic constraint to cotton production. The pathogen remains indefinitely in the soil so using rotations as a management tool may be limited. Our research does suggest, however, that some rotations do result in reduced disease and increased yields.

NSW DPI is actively working with research teams to comply to internationally recognised standards

This project examined a wide range of water quality parameters of surface water and groundwater in the Quirindi -Gunnedah area including trace elements, nutrients, agricultural chemicals, stable isotope ratios, organic carbon content and trace organic constituents. Samples were obtained in October 2011 and January 2012.

The Healthy HeadWaters Water Use Efficiency (HHWUE) project is helping Queensland Murray-Darling Basin irrigators invest in more efficient irrigation systems and technologies that reduce water loss and deliver long-term economic benefits. It is also returning a share of water savings to the Basin's rivers, wetlands and floodplains

The Cotton Industry needs to demonstrate that its practices are sustainable (and communicate this to the community and government). Sustainability involves an understanding of economic, environmental and social attributes. This project compiles these attributes into a one stop shop

Water use is an important and well researched issue in the cotton industry. However, there is growing interest worldwide in water use throughout the product supply chain, covering not only production, but also manufacturing and use. At the farm level, water use can be determined using a water balance, but there is still a need to aggregate data across the whole supply chain using a specialist approach. To do this, there are two main supply chain water assessment methods; water footprinting (WF) and life cycle assessment (LCA). A recent review of these methods for CRDC concluded that LCA is the most robust and useful method for conducting supply chain water use assessments in the Australian cotton industry for a number of reasons.

The aim of this new 3 year project is to map the Australian cotton industry and to catalogue the extent of cotton research

This season's results show the potential for damage to cotton crops from resdues of Hussar, Intervix, Spinnaker and Lontrel, with reductions in plant stand, seedling vigour, crop development and yield recorded. Cotton growers need to ensure the reccomended plant-back periods for these and other residual herbicides are observed.