Objectives: 1) develop methods and techniques to assess soil salinity and identify irrigation inefficiencies at the field scale 2) develop inexpensive methods and techniques to estimate groundwater recharge rate on a sub-catchment scale 3) use a salt and leaching fraction model to determine effect of increasing saline water on soil condition at a regional level 4) highlight strategies for the future.

Objectives 1) Monitor the distribution of Fusarium wilt in cotton growing areas. 2} Characterise and type any Fusarium oxysporum isolated from wilted cotton in new areas (including samples from an cotton growing areas in Australia). 3) Investigate the role of weeds and other crops in the development and maintenance of the causal fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum (Fov) in the soil. 4) Screen, both in glasshouse and field trials, a range of cotton germplasm for reaction to Fov.Glasshouse trials 5) Assist plant breeders with development of disease tolerant cultivars. 6) Assist with the development of molecular markers for Fusarium wilt tolerance/resistance (Dr Lyon University of Sydney and Plant Breeders)

This report examines available deposition data and assesses the performance of two mathematical models in predicting the relative drift profile of UL V and EC formulations of endosulfan as used in the Australian cotton industry.

The key elements of the research were l) to determine the distribution and diversity of parasitoids of Bemisia tabaci already in Australia 2) to determine whether these parasitoids have the potential to control SL W. 3) to produce user friendly keys with which to enable field researchers to identify SL W. 4) determine the biology of SL Wand whether it can interbreed with the indigenous biotype of B.tabaci

This project aimed to continue the steady improvements in developing improved cotton varieties adapted to Australian growing conditions and markets

The overall aim of the project was to carry out research to aid the safe and rapid adoption and implementation of genetically engineered viral insecticides into the Australian Cotton Industry. The project formed part of a larger program that aims to commercialise recombinant Heficoverpa NPVs (recHaNPV) with increased insecticidal potential for field control of Heficoverpa/Heliothis pests. The project had strong \inks with the CRC through the projects "Envi ro nmental Impact Assessment for Genetically Engineered Viruses and Identification and Predictive Classification of the Australian Heliothine Moths" and we carried out a number of field trials and collecting trips in collaboration with these projects

PROJECT OBJECTIVES: * To use standard bioassay techniques to establish the particular resistance I susceptibility profiles of Australian native and B-biotype B. tabaci. Insecticide tested, will be organophosphates, carbamates, pyretbroids, newer pyrethroids, cyclodienes, novel control agents. Evaluation the mechanisms of resistance to organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids in Bbiotype B. tabaci. * Assess the applicability of rapid biochemical resistance monitoring techniques to B. tabaci. * To investigate the relationship between B-biotype characteristics (silverleaf induction and B esterase bands) and insecticide resistance in B-biotype B. tabaci, will be investigated. * Assessment of the potential of B- type B. tabaci to interbreed with and thus spread insecticide resistance into native B. tabaci. * To investigate the relationship between "resistance status" and field control of resistant B. tabaci. * Resistance management strategies will be devised and tested in the field and the laboratory

This project have been highly successful in raising the awareness of fusarium wilt of cotton grower.> and of the cotton industry generally. Greater awareness of the disease, the importance of growing tolerant varieties in minimising the effects of the disease, and the importance of machinery washdown as a strategy to minimise disease spread bath on-farrn and between growing districts are positive outcomes of the project's activities. To what extent have ttie project objectives been achieved? A concerted effort to distribute fusarium wilt disease information to the cctton industry through leadership of this project has resulted in:- * Greatly increased awareness of fusarium wilt of cotton growers, consultants and industry in all cotton growing areas; * lncresased knowledge and uptake of on-farm, and Inter-region practises to llmlt the spread of fusarium wilt; * Increased collaboration between the DPl!FSI, CRC National Cotton Extension Team and the CCA on the management fusarium wilt; * Machinery wash down as a management strategy to reduce the spread of the disease

The objectives were to provide a reliable method for quantifying the Cry1Ac produced by transgenic cotton plants and to use this to examine the changes in Cry1Ac levels during a field season. We also undertook to train relevant laboratory personnel in Canberra and Narrabri in the use of the techniques for extracting and measuring Cry1Ac levels in plants. The project has been successful in developing a method for estimating the content of Cry1Ac in cotton tissues of all ages and developmental stages. Statistical analysis of the efficiency of extraction

During January to June 1999 tests were carried out to determine infectivity of the existing geminivirus in Australia in cotton. Challenge inoculation of cotton plants with the tomato leaf curl geminivirus was set up and the results have shown that the original virus stain from Darwin does not infect cotton. More recently, additional strains have been isolated from the Cape York Peninsula and these are being tested on a range of plants including cotton.