The success of the Australian cotton industry can largely be attributed to science, technology, capacity and innovation. The Australian cotton industry benefits from collabrorative networks between peak bodies, government agencies, organisations and institutes working together to provide the most up to date information to growers. The long term investment partnership between the Australian cotton industry and the Australian Government in research, has delivered significant benefits to the growers, rural communities and to Australia (Cotton Australia, no date).

Long-term studies of soil organic carbon dynamics in irrigated cotton -based cropping systems under varying stubble management practices in cracking clays are relatively few. Our objective was to quantify soil organic carbon dynamics during a 9-year period in four irrigated cottonbased cropping systems sown on permanent beds in a cracking clay with subsoil sodicity near Narrabri in northwestern NSW. The experimental treatments were: cottoncotton (CC), cotton-vetch (CV), cotton-wheat where wheat stubble was incorporated (CW), and cotton-wheat-vetch where wheat stubble was retained as standing stubble (CVW). Vetch was terminated during or just prior to flowering by a combination of mowing and contact herbicides, and the residues retained as mulch. Average carbon storage in the 0- 0.3 m and 0-1.2 m depths was higher when vetch was part of the crop rotation with similar values occurring in CWV and CV. On average, cropping systems that included vetch stored 2.3 t C/ha more in the 0-0.3 m depth and 5.3 t C/ha more in the 0-1.2 m depth than those that did not. These differences correspond to inputs of nutrient-rich biomass. Net carbon sequestration rates did not differ among cropping systems and did not change significantly with time in the 0-0.3 m depth but net losses occurred in the 0-1.2 m depth.

salinity, and low exchangeable K concentrations are common constraints in many cracking clays. Recommendations for ameliorating sodicity include applying gypsum alone or in combination with deep tillage. Potassium deficiencies are usually managed by applying mineral fertilisers, although many farmers are interested in using animal manures as substitutes. The objective of this study was to quantify changes to sodicityrelated soil properties and exchangeable K concentration due to applying gypsum, K fertiliser and cattle manure in a region with an erratic rainfall distribution. Soil was sampled from a rainfed trial in southern Queensland. Cattle manure improved potassium availability by 0.16 t/ha and decreased ESP. Gypsum and K fertiliser application also decreased ESP, and the latter increased exchangeable K, albeit to a lesser extent than manure. Decrease in ESP was not, however, sufficient to reduce dispersion and improve drainage. Gypsum application did not overcome the effects of sodicity. Crop yields were unaffected by gypsum, manure or mineral fertiliser application, suggesting that their application may not be economically rational in an environment where rainfall is erratic.

The frequency of neonicotinoid resistant Aphis gossypii Glover populations has markedly decreased from a high of 94% to a moderate 22% in a single season. * The decrease in the frequency of neonicotinoid aphids likely relates to a subtle change in the way foliar neonicotinoids are being used against pests other than aphids and where aphids are accidently being selected by that use rather than a reduction in neonicotinoid seed dressing consumption or an increase in seed dressing efficacy (it was shown not to completely control resistant A. gossypii). * Pirimicarb resistant A. gossypii remain infrequent and the chemical continues to be a relaible IPM compatible method of aphid control. * A new quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) method under development to estimate pirimicarb resistance in A. gossypii will potentially increase assay accuracy and decrease test cost.

No changes to the current Insecticide Resistance Management Strategy for SLW. * Resistance to Admiral has been recorded in the horticultural production areas of Ayr and Bowen highlighting the need to comply with the IRMS. * No resistance has been detected for Movento or Pegasus which make them important options for managing resistance. * Low levels of resistance to bifenthrin is an additional reason to avoid the use of this broad spectrum, disruptive insecticide

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.