The autumn edition of CRDC's magazine, Spotlight, investigates the outcomes of CRDC-funded research helping Central Queensland growers overcome climate challenges. Three years after the applied on-farm research project commenced in the Central Highlands, it has now been put into practice commercially this season, with great success. In this edition, we outline the results of the research - including improved yield and quality - from a number of different local perspectives.

Also in this edition we outline CRDC's plans for the future, including the newly launched Rural.XO microhack initiative, giving disruptors and entreprenuers the opportunity to challenge the status quo; we talk about turning cotton waste into fine chemicals; and we shine a light on the increasing collaboration between the cotton and grains research endeavours, led by CRDC and our grains counterparts, GRDC.

Also in this issue, CRDC-supported researcher Rhiannon Smith goes one-on-one with the Prime Minister about trees; irrigators go south for inspiration on automated irrigation technologies; and we look at future technologies, like high tech polymers being used to curb evaporation from on-farm storages, and a new tool to monitor cotton leaf hydration.

This project was aimed at providing a rational approach to restoring soil structure after it becomes degraded under intensive irrigated cotton production. The specific aims were: 1. to compare deep tillage and deep drying as methods for restoring soil structure

OBJECTIVES * To make a direct and impartial yield comparison between two types of drip irrigation and standard furrow irrigation. This study should determine whether drip irrigation is a viable alternative to traditional methods. * To use a drip irrigation facility as a research tool to study waterlogging, nutrient uptake, water relations, physiology of fruiting and root distribution. * To determine new cultivar suitability for drip irrigation.

In 1974, following the occurrence of DDT resistant H. armigera, a resistance monitoring program for Heliothis spp. was started at the Tamworth laboratories of the Department of Agriculture, NSW. All insecticide management decisions require a solid platform of reliable data and this can only be achieved by a long-term commitment to pesticide studies. Resistance monitoring has involved obtaining of baseline susceptibility data for H. armigera and H. puntigera, monitoring of changes in resistance levels and cross resistance patterns. The routine monitoring and testing programs at Tamworth has extended naturally to studies in depth of resistance mechanisms all d genetics, since they are basic to a fuller understanding of resistance problems, and to the development of practical responses.

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Travel summary

Insecticide resistance in the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera has been one of the greatest limitations to successful pest control and economic cotton production in Australia. The introduction of transgenic cotton has reduced the dependence on insecticides for control of this pest, however sprayed conventional (non Bt) cotton is still a viable cropping option in its own right as well as acting as a refuge for transgenic cotton. It is imperative therefore that resistance is monitored and managed to ensure insecticides remain an effective option now and in the future.

This research project focussed on the incidence and cause of insecticide resistance by Helicoverpa armigera and to a lesser extent H. punctigera. The objectives included continuing the insecticide resistance monitoring program for Helicoverpa spp., investigating resistance development within a Helicovpera spp. population, assessing the impact of AWM/IPM on resistance management, and formulating and promoting improved resistance management guidelines. Key findings include:

• Detection of low frequency resistance to the newer IPM compatible chemistries used against H. armigera including indoxacarb (Steward®) and emamectin benzoate (Affirm®).

• Indication that resistance to spinosad (Tracer®)and chlorfenapyr (Intrepid®) which had been increasing in previous years has decreased to low frequencies.

• Resistance is still present at variable frequencies in field populations to those chemistries that H. armigera are known to have developed resistance to, including endosulfan, pyrethroids, methomyl and organophosphates (profenofos).

• Very low frequency detection of resistance to endosulfan, pyrethroids and abamectin (Agrimec®)by H. punctigera in some valleys.

• Information recorded on species complex across time and space within cotton growing regions which has implications for the monitoring project and also for resistance management.

This information was used in assessment of current strategies and formulation of new strategies for managing insecticide resistance by the TIMS committee. The results and general resistance management tactics and information were promoted to the industry both verbally and written.

Various external factors inhibited effective analysis of the effects of AWM and IPM practises on resistance management. These included drought effects, low H. armigera pressure and high H. punctigera pressure resulting in several farms in the Macintyre Trial in 2003/04 and 2004/05 exiting the trial to use harder chemistry on this pressure.

Attempts to study resistance development to indoxacarb and emamectin benzoate, key IPM compatible chemistries about which little is know in regard to resistance, were unsuccessful. Problems encountered however have implications for resistance management, with further research to be undertaken.

The aim of the project was to develop SIRATAC Plus by reimplementing SIRATAC to professional software engineering standards using current technology developed in knowledge engineering and data base management. The original SIRATAC code was written in FORTRAN over a period of 12 years and had become intractable, and having been patched and repatched many times, had reached the end of its useful product life.