In Australia, about 85% of cotton farmers grows transgenic (Bt) cotton. Bt cotton controls only Lepidopteran pests but is not effective against sucking pests. Control of these pests and also b Helicoverpa spp. in conventional and Helicoverpa survivors on transgenic cotton crops relies extensively on the use of synthetic insecticides. The issues of cost, efficacy, resistance and environmental impacts have led to the increased implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Crop plants including cotton can produce secondary plant compounds (SPCs) to protect the plants against pest predation. The SPCs can modify pest behaviour by acting as feeding and oviposition deterrents, attractants or repellents to reduce pest damage. Toxicity of SPCs are not as high as synthetic insecticides but when this toxicity is added to the other effect of SPCs their combined efficacy against the pest is high. For the past 6 years, research by NSWDPI has identified a plant codenamed Plant X. Fractionated extracts from the plant in Hexane and oil has been found to deter pest feeding, egg lay and cause toxicity to larvae and nymphs of cotton pests. Generally, Plant X has intuitive appeal because the product can be used in IPM as a stand alone or reduced label rates of synthetic insecticides to reduce Synthetic insecticide sprays

In this article we highlight analyses that are being conducted to unravel the degree of effects that contribute to differences in micronaire. Here we present some results that show the affects of variety, boll load and temperature. We also present examples of how we are using the knowledge to assess how seasonal affects are contributing to differences in micronai

Results from silicon (Si) trials support prior research that silicon may be important in reducing the severity of fusarium wilt in cotton seedlings. Si amendments were identified that reduced disease severity under glasshouse conditions when applied to field soil, but were not effective under field conditions. It is possible that inoculum load was too high at the field site for an effect of Si fertilization to be realized. Increasing nutrient availability in an alkaline soil also can be difficult and may have contributed to poor uptake. Another consideration is that placement of fertiliser, which dictates availability of Si for uptake, may not have been optimal.

The Measuring Community Wellbeing in Cotton Communities Study was commissioned by the Cotton Catchments Communities Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) to better understand the socio-economic status of communities where cotton production and its associated activities form a significant component of the regional economy. Study areas, by Local Government Area, included Moree Plains, Narrabri, Narromine, Warren, Dalby/Wambo and Millmerran. The study developed a framework and set of social, economic and environmental indicators based on notions of community wellbeing and social sustainability that can be used to measure how the selected 'cotton communities' are performing against relevant state and national benchmarks over time, and to aid in better understanding the relationship between the industry and community wellbeing. The investigation spanned a period of drought that affected both irrigators and dry-land farmers to varying degrees across the study areas. Most indicators relate to 2005-06 including the August ABS Census, which preceded the peak of drought conditions for irrigators and cotton production. The energy and mining boom has been gathering momentum since 2000 and has emerged as a major factor driving development in Narrabri and the Darling Downs. These two events are impacting communities in very pronounced ways, both economically and socially. The importance of studies that track changes in community wellbeing should not be underestimated, as they will serve a significant role in better understanding the relationship between the wellbeing of communities and the cotton industry over time and in a constantly changing environment.

Dall'Alba notes that we have no shortage of competitors', and 'we should not take the current high rating of our Australian cotton for granted'. Rather 'we need to continue improving our Australian cotton while not sacrificing yield' in the belief that 'superior products create their own markets'. Adopting this sentiment this paper will (a) explore the key fibre quality attributes that relate to the 25c/lb market gap or barrier between where Australian cotton is currently positioned and 'Extra Long Staple' cotton and (b) describe technical opportunities CSIRO has been investigating to 'capture' some of this gap for Australian cotton.

The National Cotton Training Coordinator project has involved the development of various training strategies that address this declining skill base. It has concentrated on developing programs that focus on skill set development rather than training for full qualifications. These strategies are the focus of this paper. To discuss this topic, I outline two examples to illustrate how current cotton extension activities are aligned to principles of the vocational education and training (VET) sector. Several national reviews of the VET system support these industry initiatives. The Federal Standing Committee for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry concluded that "the focus in rural skills training should be on skills rather than qualifications". It notes that "the response of industry to the focus on qualifications rather than skills under the current framework has been to design its own training packages to better fulfil its needs" (Commonwealth of Australia, 2007). In addition, the report titled Environmental Scan of Agrifood Industries 'an industry in transition�' acknowledged and supported this position. There is an anomaly within the VET system between how industry obtains its skills and the funding that causes VET to focus towards full qualifications. The report stated " a model which gives flexibility and choice, and enables training providers to legitimately deliver incremental building blocks of skills, as well as full qualifications as paramount" (AFISC, 2008).

Climatic factors such as vapor pressure (the capacity of the air to hold water at a given temperature, which is used to calculate relative humidity) influence crop growth, including how much moisture from the plant is needed for transpiration, Transpiration is important to regulate leaf temperature which influences photosynthesis and crop growth. This study showed that changes in vapor pressure affected the level of stress a plant regardless of the level of soil moisture highlighting the need for irrigation scheduling to reflect both factors. Quantifying these effects is also important where future climate change predictions suggest lower humidity and higher temperature which will increase the evaporative demand on crop

Pyriproxyfen (Admiral), diafenthiuron (Pegasus) and bifenthrin (Talstar) are currently registered for whitefly control in cotton. Monitoring the resistance status of these insecticides in controlling SLW is critical if their usefulness is to be sustained. Resistance monitoring is also important in evaluating the relevance of the Insecticide Resistance Management Strategy (IRMS) guidelines and providing input into developing solutions for looming control issues before they impact on grower productivity. This paper outlines our initial course of action and preliminary results in developing a resistance monitoring program and whitefly identification service

Cotton has been grown very successfully in southern NSW as demonstrated by the very high yields achieved in recent seasons., Any industry expansion will be slow as it is obviously affected by water availability in combination with markets. Cotton is being treated just like any other crop by the MIA, growers that grew cotton this year. The price will be considered this coming season and depending on the approach to marketing there will be growers who may switch back to rice due to the high prices being offered. Like anything the higher the potential for return the higher the risk. Cotton is comparably high in growing cost when compared to maize and rice. In addition adverse weather conditions, particularly at the end of the season, could be more costly for cotton in terms of yield and quality compared to maize and rice

While the southern valleys of NSW present a great opportunity for expansion of the cotton industry, they also present unique challenges from a plant disease perspective. This study will fill in the blanks in our knowledge of seedling pathogens from these regions and assist with the development of IDM strategies for seedling disease in the south