A new buzzword has swept dryland cotton growing areas this season. Super Singles is being trialled over around 18,000 ha West of Moree this year. What are Super Singles? Super Singles is a dryland cotton growing configuration developed by B& W. Rural as a summer crop option for the Western areas and is expected to take some of the risk out of dryland cotton growing. Super singles is a one in two out configuration using Bollgard/Roundup Ready cotton.

The aim of this project was to test whether observed patterns in historical Helicoverpa abundance data were consistent with our understanding of moth flight behaviour, and to measure the effects of moth movement on these abundance patterns.

The workshop was convened in order to focus on the water balance of cotton crops and catchments where the crop is grown. Most research on water in cotton has been problem-oriented. Problems associated with management of the water balance include rising ground water, contamination of ground water, salinity (dryland and irrigated), erosion, transport of pesticides into rivers and water use efficiency. The sustainability of cotton production depends on the solution of these problems.

Project Objectives and Extent of Completion The project aims were: 1. To continue to provide engineering support to farmers and industry personnel in areas covering Ultra Narrow Row cotton, planter development, stubble management, and all subjects currently covered in USQ7C. Result Achieved. 2. To continue the development and revision on Machine-pak including a chapter on controlled traffic. Result - Not completed due to CRDC directive. Information was gathered but will only be compiled when a directive is given to review and re-release Machine-pak. 3. To assist in the development of planting equipment for Ultra Narrow Row cotton. Result Achieved. 4. To provide support for extension officers in the areas of pupae management, tillage procedures and general machinery requirements. Result Achieved. 5. To review work on bed architecture, planting techniques and equipment, propose tests to be undertaken and perform field trials. This will involve farmers in each area and the extension of the results to the larger farming community. Result-Not completed due to shortening of the project. 6. To continue the monitoring of commercial guidance and yield monitoring systems. Result Achieved. 7. To complete the development of the cotton picker guidance system. Result Achieved. 8. To link into any existing or new CRC projects which require engineering input and support. Result - Not completed due to shortening of the project. 9. Review existing planting equipment and implement any changes necessary to improve perfonnance in less ideal conditions including heavy ground cover, alternative bed architectures and dry conditions (moisture seeking technology). Result - Not completed due to shortening of the project. I 0. To examine the feasibility of non-contact pupae sensing teclmology for the analysis of tillage requirements. DPI and NCEA staff will assist in this area of development. Result - Not completed due to shortening of the project.

The primary aim of this study was to investigate a range of strategies for the identification of molecular markers linked with Verticillium wilt response in cotton.

The work proposed in this project will: (a) Use the capacity of the model to integrate responses of cotton to Insect damage and to varying environmental conditions to yield improved tools for pest management that can account for compensation. This will also result in a capacity to assess the likely extent and value of compensation under different conditions. (b) Make the model applicable to a wider section of the cotton industry by incorporating the capacity to deal with skip row cotton and with short and long season cotton cultivars. These are two key limitations noted by grower groups currently using the Ozcot model in decision support. (c) Put the model into a simulation environment in which it can be readily applied to production decisions and which will enhance both model development and the ability of other researchers to work with the model; thus increasing its availability to industry

The review examines semiochemicals, substances or mixtures of substances emitted by one species that can be used to modify the behaviour of receptor organisms, and the role of these semiochemicals, particularly those derived from the inner tissues and organ surfaces of cotton plants, in the sustainable management of Helicoverpa spp. in cotton

objectives . To quantify the effects from multi-herbicide use on key soil biological processes in soils 2. To quantify the magnitude and duration of the effects from multi-herbicide applications (pre- and post-emergence) during the cotton season on populations and activities of key microbial groups essential for nutrient availability and uptake, crop residue decomposition and plant growth - Experiments conducted both under field conditions (2000/01, 2001/02 and 2002/03) at ACRI and glasshouse conditions at CSIRO L&W in Adelaide. 3. To evaluate the effects of multi-herbicide application on microbial processes in the rhizosphere and near crop residues of genetically modified cotton varieties and determine their impact on cotton growth and the maintenance of soil health. Since the microbiology of the GM cotton residues was found to be significantly different to that of conventional GM cotton residues, experiments were conducted to determine the extent of differences between GM and conventional cotton varieties (as part of collaboration with CLWC) as a foundation to any future experimentation to investigate the herbicide x GM cotton interaction. 4. To provide recommendations to changes in herbicide usage patterns based on potential impacts on key soil processes

The primary aim of this study was to investigate a range of strategies for the identification of molecular markers linked with Verticillium wilt response in cotton. The research was carried out on the parental G. hirsutwn cultivars Sicala V-1 (wilt-tolerant) and Siokra 1-4 (wilt-susceptible) together with progeny derived by crossing these plants. A new disease grading system based on foliar symptoms, vascular discolouration and plant stunting was developed in order to compare plant responses to Verticillium wilt disease following pathogen inoculation. A study of inheritance showed for the first time that a single genetic locus, designated VwRJ, was responsible for tolerance to Verticillium wilt in Sicala V-1.

A Pilot Study carried out in a NSW cotton crop in 1993 showed that lint and seed production could be improved by up to 25% by honey bee pollination. The current project had the objective of determining whether yield and fibre quality of an irrigated cotton crop grown in NSW could be improved by introducing managed honey bees into the crop.