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

The objective of this study is to examine the scope for further research irito certain quality characteristics of Australian cotton which are seen by many cotton industry participants as critical areas for improvement if the Australian fibre. is to maintain its reputation for excellence, namely: * neppiness * short fibre conten

Aims * To evaluate treatments that inhibit or restrict microbial degradation to cotton when the seed cotton harvest is delayed by wet weather. * To ensure that such treatments do not affect subsequent processing and dye uptake. * To develop dyeing formulations that minimize the effects that microbial damage has on the dyeing of cotton blends.

This document is designed to assist users to develop a spray and drift management plan for their own farming operation, and applies equally to aerial and ground applications. The development of a spray and drift management plan is based on two fundamental requirements:

Aim: To build a new glasshouse to provide a facility for basic research into plant I herbivore interactions

The handbook is divided into two parts and nine sections. It is anticipated that growers will want to refer more frequently to sections on ground spraying technology, safety, handling and application. This material has been compiled together in the front of the handbook as Part A. In Part B, sections on meteorology, nozzle technology and the use of agricultural aircraft in cotton production are provided which discuss relevant background material in more detail.