Project objectives ( i) Conduct Verticillium wilt disease grading of F2 progeny from the intra-specific crosses G. hirsutum Sicala V-1 x Siokra 1-4 and Acala Royale x CS 50 and the inter-specific cross G. Q barbadense Pima S-7 x G. hirsutum CS 50. (ii) Identify candidate DNA markers linked with enhanced resistance to Verticillium wilt from Sicala V-1, Acala Royale and Pima S-7. (iii) Confirm and map candidate AFLP markers linked with resistance to Verticillium wilt from Sicala V-1, Acala Royale and Pima S-7. If needed, isolate additional AFLP markers that bracket the resistance gene(s). (iv) Test characterised AFLP markers linked with resistance to Verticillium wilt on other cotton varieties to determine correlations in more distant germplasm. (v) Develop rapid molecular assays for DNA markers for enhanced resistance to Verticillium wilt from Sicala V-1, Acala Royale and Pima S-7.

This project continues and extends the development of intergenomic germplasm initiated under CSP4 7C. Under CSP4 7C, fertile synthetic hybrids that incorporate chromosomes from indigenous Gossypium species into cultivated cotton were developed, overcoming the fertility barrier. These new fertile hybrids include indigenous species that have gossypol-free seeds and possible resistance to Fusarium wilt Under that grant a variety of strategies for transferring genes from the native species were tested. In the end, a process called bexaploid bridging was identified as being the most likely to maximize the number of exchanges between the chromosomes of the indigenous Gossypium species and those of the cultivated cottons. This process involves repeatedly backcrossing the synthetic hybrids to cultivated cottons. Over several generations the chromosomes of the native species are progressively lost, but in the process some of their genes are left behind on the cultivated cotton chromosomes

Aim: * To provide ongoing technical support and maintenance for weather station network and data generated by them ensuring provision of high quality weather data to research and all other facets of the cotton industry

Research has shown that damage caused by chewing and sucking pests does not necessarily lead to a yield loss in cotton. The ability to compensate for tissue loss in cotton is attributed to an improved canopy development stimulated by pre-squaring tip damage, and to fruit substitution for damage and increased fruit production during the reproductive stage. However, cotton's ability to compensate for fruit loss declines dramatically as boll development accelerates (3-4 weeks after first square) and as other stress factors appear. But we have also shown that mild drought stress may limit the extent of mite damage possibly by making the canopy less attractive to mite development. Compensation can be enhanced through maintaining a healthy crop canopy but not one with excessive leaf area (which leads to yield loss). We are exploring options to minimise excessive growth response to pest damage such as selecting okra leaf cultivars and appropriate planting density. A well-managed crop may even respond to damage such as early season tipping out with yield gain over an undamaged crop - an area of focus in our on-going research. We are also continuing the effort to incorporate compensation results in a decision support system for pest management.

The CRDC provided $4,000 for DPI, specifically BIARC, to conduct field investigations and construct economic models to assess the potential for farming fish using water from farm ring-tanks. Four economic models were constructed using three species and four different production scenarios. The fish fauna in six ring-tanks in the Dalby region was also investigated to assess the potential impact of agricultural chemicals. This information was then used to produce the following document outlining the benefits and difficulties of fish production in on-farm water storages.

Objective of the project To deliver a BMP implementation program that leads to attainment of the industry commitment of having 100% of cotton growers audit ready by June 31st 2001.

In early 1999 the Centre for Water Policy Research was approached by tl1e Namoi Water Users Association, the NSW Irrigators Council, and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), to investigate the possibility of introducing Capacity Sharing for Namoi Valley irrigators. It was agreed that the Department of Land and Water Conservation, New South Wales (DLWC) would provide a copy of their Namoi river Integrated Quality and Quantity Model (IQQM), a hydrology model, to the Centre to enable the modelling of sharing scenarios. However, the DLWC advised the Centre that the Namoi IQQM was still being developed, and would not be available until October 1999 * The Centre then sought to use the DL WCs' monthly model for the Namoi Valley had been in use before the development of the IQQM. After discussions with the DL WC staff it was determined that the monthly model did not contain transmission loss elements, and would not therefore be suitable for the estimation of Capacity Shares. It was established that there were no other suitable existinig models, and that the creation of a new model would be necessary for this project Because of the project timetable the Centre researchers resolved to build a river hydrology model, with monthly time

Project objectives (i) Complete characterisation of putative fungal genes isolated from the cDNA library prepared Q from Sicala V-1 plants infected with V. dahliae. (ii) Analyse the functional role of potential fungal pathogenicity genes and conduct surveys to identify genetic polymorphisms in other V. dahliae isolates that might be associated with increased pathogenicity. (iii) Conduct survey of V. dahliae isolates using AFLP fingerprinting to identify genetic polymorphisms that might be associated with increased pathogenicity. (iv) Develop a molecular assay for the differentiation of pathogenic strains in field material.

With the formation of the new Australian Cotton CRC and the possible expansion of cotton growing in the Northern Territory and in the north of Western Australia, we were requested to conduct a cotton disease survey in these areas. This survey was conducted during 28 July - 4 August 1999. We visited the Katherine area in the Northern Territory and Kununurra and Broome areas in Western Australia

major project objectives: 1. Xcm avirulence (avr) genes as SAR triggers Characterise F1 progeny in terms of expression levels of SAR markers and tolerance to fungal infection using Verticillium and Altemaria 2. Promoters Screen fis-gus progeny for gus expression induced by fungal infection to establish the sensitivity of tis promoter to fungal induction. Establish gus expression after treatment with chemical SAR inducers e.g. BTH. 3. Screen other transform ants for transgene presence.