This project aims to support numerous cotton research projects by enabling the production of experimental crop at ACRI. Experiments cover the disciplines of breeding, agronomy and entomology conducted by staff of CSIRO Cotton Research Unit at the Australian Cotton Research Institute. The grant provides supplementary funds to cover costs of growing and harvesting experimental crops with almost all operations conducted by Staff of NSW Agriculture. Costs are charged according to NSW Agriculture estimates 'of growing costs and are balanced by revenue from the sale of cotton lint. CRDC provides only the additional expenses. Over the three years of CSP59C (117/95 - 30/6/97) a series of agronomic, breeding and pest management studies were completed. An indication of the scale of research is detailed below with that for 1996/97.

Transportable weigh scales are currently located at Narrabri (NSW Ag.) and Dalby (QDPI). These units are very useful for measuring yields from trials located on cotton farms. This season the Narrabri set of scales was borrowed by Wendy O' May to measure yields in her trials at Emerald. Unfortunately, this arrangement proved unsatisfactory because the scales could not be returned in time for harvesting some of the early research and extension trials in the Namoi.

This report presents the results of a six month investigation into the need for and feasibility of developing an automatic moisture measuring system for cotton. The report was commissioned by the CRDC in response to a proposal from the NCEA to develop a module-scale moisture scanner using different technology to that in existing equipment.

This project aims to provide fibre quality assessments for the Australian cotton breeding program and related projects by the operation and maintenance of a fibre testing laboratory at ACRI. The project supports the maintenance and operation of the Spinlab HVI (length/strength/micronaire) and the Shirley FMT 3 (maturity/fineness) equipment

This report is a summation of the background, objectives, and acltievements of the research project funded by CRDC grant CSP4 7C. We would like to emphasize four particularly notable Q achievements. * We assessed the risk of trans gene escape from commercial cotton cul ti vars into wild Australian cotton species * We synthesizing 18 new fertile intergenomic Gossypium polyploids * We documented the production of umeduced gametes in hybrids between cultivated cottons and wild species indigenous to the Kimberley Plateau. * We synthesized self. fertile cotton germplasm lines that incorporate genetic material from wild cotton species.

A strip tiller machine was assembled and used prior to cotton planting this season. Some practical problems associated with heavy clay soils showed up, and are being addressed. Results from initial trial work were masked by rain occurring immediately after planting. Trials involving the residual herbicide Ally were carried on three major cotton growing soils across the Darling Downs. Initial results indicates little cany over effect on cotton from 5 gm ~ 1 Ally applied as a fallow herbicide as late as April. The field work will be repeated this season. l(q_) Management of cotton stubble and cotton fields in dryland situation immediately after picking are being investigated. Various mechanical and herbicide treatments were looked at for their effectiveness in preventing cotton regrowth, and allowing subsequent operations, especially double cropping of cereals. Preliminary results indicate the Janke disc cutter appears to be the most flexible system currently available. Further investigation of the effectiveness of various mechanical operations in preventing emergence of overwintering Heliothis pupae were carried out at Billa Billa. The results this season varied from those obtained in the previous season's trial. A single pass with a full disturbance light cultivator/planter failed to give an adequate level of control. Further investigations looking at various combinations of operations will continue this season.

objectives: 1. Document current knowledge on the water use efficiency of Australian cotton and comment on potential for improvement. 2. Compare Australian cotton with other irrigated crops in Australia and cotton in other countries and determine the comparative economic efficiency. 3. Determine overall water use of cotton in Australia and relate it to its economic efficiency. 4. Calculate the efficiency of use of other assets in the Australian cotton industry. 5. if possible, estimate the spin-off effects of water research and development in the Australian cotton industry on other irrigation industries in Australia. 6. Prepare an economic analysis which shows the actual cost of water to cotton producers.

In this study we aim to assess the current water use efficiency of the industry by analysing the water use data currently being collected by producers. Data from approximately twenty producers will be analysed. The properties will be selected to include producers from the range of irrigated cotton growing areas from Warren to Emerald, so as to represent the industry as a whole. Currently few producers monitor water use efficiency on their properties. Among those who do, the methods of calculation vary. A computer software package will be developed to encourage the keeping of good water records and to provide standardised approaches to the calculation of water use efficiency. This will facilitate the comparison of a producer's performance to industry standards and to the performance of other producers

Research project summary: Field experiments at ACRI Narrabri were devised to evaluate summer and winter growing legumes with respect to the amounts of atmospheric N2 fixed using the I SN natural abundance technique. Commercial legume crops were also be assessed in this way. The benefit of these legume crops was assessed in the following year, by detennining the N response of cotton to N fertilizer. Associated experiments were used to study the decomposition of I SN-labelled legume crop residues and the uptake by the following cotton crop of legume N mineralised from the legume residues. In addition, the CRC farming systems experiments are being used to evaluate the benefits of legume rotation crops. This project is continuing to evaluate the benefits of those treatments with respect to N, through assessing N2 fixation and regular monitoring of the soil and crop N status

Objectives I. Continue to develop entomoLOGIC and related management packages incorporating the latest research results and management practices. 2. Validate entomoLOGIC and demonstrate IPM systems on a commercial scale. 3. Promote the continued adoption of entomoLOGIC and provide training and support for growers and consultants in all regions.