This project was to provide the basic technical support at the molecular level for CSIRO' s cotton breeding program to develop new transgenic cotton varieties with improved agronomic characteristics. During the three years of the project, which was a continuation of a previous CRDC project in the same area, the three technical staff supported by the grant carried out extensive screening of transgenic breeding lines (over 500,000 samples) containing the insecticidal INGARD gene, the CryIIA gene and the herbicide resistance gene Roundup Ready and various combinations of these genes in a variety of elite backgrounds. This screening work allowed the cotton breeders at Narrabri to identify those plants containing the novel genes that could be advanced in the breeding process. This is obviously an essential component of the more conventional parts of the breeding process related to the carrying out of crosses and the evaluation of the agronomic performance of the lines and directly contributed to the release of five transgenic IN GARD cultivars in 1996 and a sixth cultivar in the 1998 season. On-going screening as part of a new CRDC project will have contributed to the development of new IN GARD cultivars for the next decade and the two gene Bt varieties to hopefully be released in 2000 or soon after. The same technical team has also produced many hundreds of new transgenic cotton plants containing both experimental genes aimed at improving the pest and disease tolerance of cotton and potentially new commercial traits such as tolerance to the herbicide bromoxynil that are still in the evaluation phase

The ACGRA discussed what the goals, objectives and directions it should be following in terms of research into soils, tillage and engineering issues. It was felt that agronomy and soil-tillage engineering issues should be amalgamated under a "farming systems" title that provided for a more multi-discipline approach to farming practices closely related to land preparation and soils issues

Twelve cotton defence-response genes were analysed to determine if there is any similarity between the response of the plant to fungal pathogens or symbionts. The defence-response genes representing the enzymes phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS) and chitinase did not appear to be activated in mycorrhizal cotton roots, in contrast to what is observed in other plant-mycorrhiza interactions. Other defence-response genes with unknown function which were activated in myc01Thizal cotton roots deserve further investigation. One which has sequence similarity with a putative signal transduction protein may provide insights into the mechanism by which the defence response is regulated in mycorrhizal cotton roots.

This thesis assessed the effectiveness of a formulation of a chemical activator in bringing about systemic resistance to diseases in cotton in the light of reports of its action in other plants.

The objectives of this project were: 1. To identify candidate pathogens for the biocontrol of purple nutsedge ( Cyperus rotundus). 2. To determine the potential of candidate pathogens as augmentive and inundative biocontrol agents of purple nutsedge in cotton. 3. To determine the feasibility of using combinations of pathogens either as a "cocktail mixture" (to broaden the spectrum of weeds affected) or applied at different times (to determine possible synergistic interactions in terms of weed control). 0 2 4. To define the conditions under which potential biocontrol pathogens are most likely to succeed and not succeed. 5. To work with weed scientists to determine how biocontrol might best be integrated into weed management systems.

The aim of this project was to capitalise on work completed during tenure of a CRDC/ APRA PhD Scholarship1 * Five gene products (messenger [m]RNAs) were isolated which are expressed at high levels in Si okra 1-2 cotton fibres and low levels in other parts of the cotton plant. The promoter region from one of these genes, FSltpl, was isolated and sequenced, and it was proposed to assess the ability of this and other promoters to control tissue-specific expression of a GUS reporter gene in transgenic cotton plants. The majority of this work focussed on the preparation of gene constructs using a GUS expression vector. A plasmid DNA vector was obtained from Dr Danny Llewellyn (CSIRO Division of Plant Industry, Canberra) which contains a GUS reporter gene, upstream of which is a "polycloning site" into which promoter DNA fragments could be inserted. Work in this area was hampered by the deficiency of suitable restriction sites for cloning into the GUS vector.

ks in southern Europe provide a unique opportunity for Australian researchers to learn of the latest developments in entomology, Bacillus thuringiensis and other insect pathogens, and technology transfer in biological control (including biopesticides

The major aims of this trip were to attend three international conferences in areas of entomology, insect pathology and virology relevant to the long-term biological control of major cotton pests like Helicoverpa armigera

The Analysis of cotton production in the Bourke district project will fonn part of a co-funded project to develop a land and water management plan for the Bourke irrigation district. The CRDC-funded portion will provide detailed information on the process of cotton growing and the most effective practices in cotton crop management. Efficient resource use is the goal of the cofunded project to avoid the potential for the development of irrigation salinity in the Bourke district. Analysis of cotton production in the Bourke district will provide a link between the Bourke Cotton Growers' Association and the wider cotton growing industry. It will allow research to take account of factors unique to the Bourke as well as ensure that industry development programs are implemented in the Bourke district. Issues such as Integrated Pest Management, resistance management, food sprays, soil management and transgenic cotton are likely areas which the grower group will want to pursue further in light of the interest shown in workshops conducted in project DAN 86C. A field comparison database will be extended to allow monitoring of progress and identification of apparent relationships between factors and crop growth. This has been proven to be of use during the course of DAN 86C and will be worth continuing. Cotton industry promotion and extension of information will also be an important function of the project and will support programs implemented by CRDC, CRC and NSW Agriculture over the past 5 years

The Bourke Sustainable Irrigated Cropping Systems project (B.S.I.C.S.P) was implemented in 1993-94 as an initiative of the Bourke Cotton Growers association and the Bourke Cotton Growers Landcare group. The project received half of its .fimds from the National Landcare programme. The need for the project was ~onceived tbrol!gh the desire of growers t? see. research and extension carried out locally. This was to alleviate the problems of percerved melevance of research carried out in Narrabri where grow:ing conditions are markedly different. Because the position was to be only a part time, many of the outcomes relied on strong grower cooperation and much of the research was to be an analysis of current grower records rather than 'in .field' research. Tue aim of the project was to develop and promote best practice in the sustainable production of cotton in the Bourke Jni.gation area. Tue areas of focus highlighted were: * insect pest management * optimum sowing w:indow * cultivation practice * nitrogen management * soil conditioners * chemical application * crop rotations