There were at least ten commercial fields of Ingard in the 1996/97 season with low efficacy pre flowering and requiring up to three insecticide sprays. Most other commercial Ingard fields required none or one insecticide when adjacent conventional cotton has been sprayed for Helicoverpa five times. Variability was also evident in 1997 /98 although with lower pest pressure in some districts that year, performance of Ingard was relatively better This project set up pilot studies to investigate physiological causes of variation in Ingard efficacy. The information will assist with crop management to minimise efficacy problems and plant breeders may utilise the findings to breed for improved stability of efficacy. It was found that shade and low temperature could affect Bt levels and efficacy against Helicoverpa.

This study used molecular biology approaches to investigate the biosynthesis of gossypol at the genetic level. Our objectives were to isolate some of the genes involved in gossypol biosynthesis, to characterise their expression and importance in the pathway, and to use these genes to generate transgenic cotton plants with altered levels of gossypol or other terpenoid aldehydes

Project Aims: Purchase a new portable photosynthesis system to support projects investigating cotton responses to waterlogging, heat tolerance, insect damage, nutrient supply and exogenous hormones

Original aims of the project are listed below: (i) To continue evaluation of the insect resistance of a range of cotton genotypes, including lines derived from crosses of promising HPR varieties with high yielding commercial varieties, including combinations with transgenic Bt lines (ii) To evaluate levels of aphid and mirid resistance in a broad range of genotypes under conditions where high densities of these pests will be induced (iii) To quantify biochemical changes in cotton genotypes associated with efficacy of transgenic cotton and the compensatory ability of different genotypes (iv) To identify the potential for induced defensive response to be used in selective breeding or to interfere with the efficacy of IPM tools such as virus sprays.

The commonly used Micronaire value for cotton is related to both fibre fineness and maturity. There is a need for a new measurement technique to separate these. This is of particular importance to the Australian industry where varieties of fine, mature cotton have the potential to be wrongfully discounted commercially by misinterpreting a low Micronaire value as indicating immaturity in a coarser fibre. A recent CRDC funded preliminary project (CRDC Project CSWT IC) demonstrated that the Sirolan-Laserscan, in a novel mode of operation, is able to measure the fineness of cotton fibres independent of fibre maturity. Following this successful preliminary study, the next stage in this research will be to undertake more exhaustive testing and trials of the approach and to examine (a) possibilities for also obtaining fibre maturity information using the Sirolan-Laserscan and (b) the scope for scaling up the technique from the laboratory to become a useful commercial measurement technique. Before embarking on this more major research phase, the current trip was designed to obtain an assessment of the commercial potential of the project. A paper on our preliminary results was presented to the US Beltwide meeting and also I visited and had indepth discussions with the other key researchers in this area at the USDA in New Orleans. This was an ideal opportunity as cotton fibre quality is currently assessed commercially using the HVI system manufactured by Uster Zellweger in USA with significant input from the USDA

Following standard CSIRO Tender Procedures, a new John Deere 8100 Tractor was purchased from Peel Valley Machinery Service, Narrabri against CSIRO purchase order number BP004778 dated 9September1999 at a cost of $121 ,781.51 . This tractor met all our specifications and can handle all our farm equipment that it is needed for. Already, this tractor has proven to be a valuable asset.

This travel grant (ANU5C) was in support of a postgraduate scholarship (ANU3C) granted for research into the molecular biology of gossypol biosynthesis in cotton. Gossypol is a defense chemical made by the cotton plant that is important for protection against pests and diseases. Unfortunately gossypol taints the cottonseed and is expensive to remove for oil and feed applications. The biosynthesis of gossypol is moderately characterised at the chemical level however little is known about the genes encoding key enzymes of this pathway. By understanding the molecular biology of gossypol biosynthesis we would be in a firm position to use this knowledge to manipulate the pathway for improved insect and pest tolerance as well as increasing the value of byproducts such as cottonseed

HIGHLIGHTS * Participation in a conference with 632 delegates from 47 countries addressing all aspects of cotton production. * Presentation of a paper entitled .. The development of new strains of Verticillium dahliae in Australia" - see Appendix * Papers presented by, and opportunities for discussions with, Dr Al Bell and Prof. Kamal El-Zik from Texas, Dr Rory Hillocks from NRI in England and Dr Craig Rothrock from Arkansas. * Inspection of cotton growing areas and a processing facility in central Greece.

This study has investigated the role of esterases in conferring pyrethroid resistance in Australian populations of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa annigera. To achieve this, studies were performed at the population, individual, biochemical and genetic levels. Using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (native PAGE) esterase patterns and levels were assessed in resistant field and laboratory strains and in a susceptible laboratory strain. Esterases were assigned the standard nomenclature of regions A to F, based on the relative mobilities of groups of esterases on native PAGs. The esterases previously associated with pyrethroid resistance and further potential esterases were identified by native PAGE and through comparisons of larvae surviving and those killed by pyrethroid exposure. Resistant field strains showed a general increase in esterase expression and a higher frequency of individuals with additional esterases with relative mobilities between 0.24 and 0.3. Populations from eastern Australia were characterised by native PAGE for esterase expression and were also measured for frequencies of pyrethroid resistance. Frequencies of pyrethroid resistance among populations were not significantly different. However, frequencies of pyrethroid resistance in adult females in some populations were significantly higher than in adult males. Other populations showed more equal frequencies of resistance between the sexes. In collaborative work, levels of cytochrome P450, CYP6B7, mRNA expression in resistant and susceptible larvae were measured by northern blot analysis. Esterase and CYP6B7 expression were not correlated with pyrethroid resistance

Project Aims: 1. To provide full time support for computer hardware and network services at ACRI, Narrabri. 2. Facilitate the connection of industry users to on-line services developed by the Cotton CRC. 3. To provide support and assistance to researchers and other users of the ACRI computer network. '4. To facilitate the introduction of new technology to improve communication and information management among the cotton research community and Industry users