Project objectives a * Prepare cDNA libraries from young cotton ovules at the time fibre cells begin to initiate.* Sequence 2500 clones from the cotton cDNA libraries

This report has been prepared as a cotton management tool for the cotton growers and their consultants in the Darling Downs Cotton Management Group. This report summarises the data collected in this group for the 1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/2000 seasons. The first part of the report presents the information in bar graphs showing the average results for each season. The second part of the report presents the information in scatter graphs which shows the range and variability of each field's results. The Report's information has been collected from 162 dry land and 169 irrigated fields over the last three seasons. All of the fields are located around Dalby based on the cotton growing areas of Jimbour, Macalister and Warra north of Dalby, and Nandi and Kupunn to the south-west. In the last three years there has been a change in the attitude of growers in the group towards the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This has been driven by the increased availability of IPM tools such as the newer lngard varieties and softer chemical options. The group has also participated in this benchmarking report and workshops which have shown the economic benefits ofIPM. They have also shared experiences of other growers and consultants on how they have managed their crops and what has been successful.

A walk-in cool room was originally planned to be part of the new cotton breeding/pathology wing at the Australian Cotton Research Institute but was deleted during the construction phase due to budget constraints. The cool room is a feature for the efficient conduct of research in these laboratories

Objectives * To compare the distribution of Helicoverpa life stages on conventional and INGARD cotton varieties in relation to sampling protocols. * To assess the suitability of sampling protocols developed for Helicoverpa on conventional cotton varieties, for use with IN GARD cotton varieties

Project objectives : Providing fibre quality assessments for the Australian cotton breeding program and other projects. The objective each year were to provide length, strength, fineness and maturity estimates of cotton breeding and related research samples as rapidly and accurately as possible

Outline the background to the project. Colored Cottons Over the last few years there has been a resurgence In Interest in naturally coloured cotton fibres to service a small, but growing, niche market in organic or natural textile products. These natural fibres can bring a premium to the growers over the conventionally produced white cotton because textiles and clothing produced from this cotton is sold at a high price to a small section of the community willing to foster products with minimal environmental Impacts relative to the standard cotton production system with its heavy reliance on chemical pesticides and artificial fertilizers

A system of 24 artificial streams was constructed on the banks of the Namoi River, New South Wales (NSW) to simulate the lotic environment of the rivers in the surrounding cotton-growing region. The streams were built to test the effects of the organochlorine pesticide endosulfan on aquatic macroinvertebrates under realistic environmental conditions.

For the fourth season, the CRDC have commissioned a survey to examine the impact of, INGARD Cotton, (by Monsanto) on pesticide use in the Australian cotton industry. This, section of the survey examines the differences in use patterns by examining details of paired, comparisons of INGARD and Conventional cotton. This years survey is similar in many, aspects to surveys done in previous seasons, with additional information on qualitative, aspects and inclusion of statistical analysis of yields., Heliothis pressure this season was lower compared to previous season. Incidence of some, sucking pests, in particular aphids was higher in some valleys. Tipworm pressure was very, low and no records were made this season.,

project objectives To investigate the use of cotton-processing wastes as organic soil amendments for cotton production. Establish field-trials with composted gin-trash to: a. determine effects on cotton growth and yield. b. assess effects on essential soil properties. To conduct a field-assessment of organic-wastes as soil amendments in cotton production: a. design and establish field-trials in collaboration with a commercial cotton producer. b. apply prescribed rates of worm-composted organic-wastes prior to sowing. c. monitor responses in cotton at critical stages of growth. d. determine the cost-benefit of processing wastes for reuse on cotton soils

Information on the distribution of rainfall (the key driving variable for inland populations of H. punctigera) has been obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology. NOAA satellite images showing Normalised Difference Vegetation Indices (NOVI; a measure of vegetation greenness) have been obtained from NASA. These data have been used as inputs for a GIS model which predicts the suitability of inland areas for Helicoverpa breeding (details of the model can be found on the web site of Dr. Wayne Rochester, University of Queensland). This model was developed as part of earlier CRDC and GRDC funded research on Helicoverpa ecology in inland Australia