Pesticides provide essential protection in the production of many agricultural commodities. However, increasing pesticide use as a result of increased production has led to community concern about the social and environmental impacts of pesticide residues. Of particular concern is the contamination of irrigation run-off and drainage water, agricultural soils and horticultural products.

Pesticide residues in soil have been detoxified by introducing and/or encouraging the growth of microorganisms capable of detoxifying the residues on site – a technology known as bioremediation. This method of bioremediation is based on traditional composting techniques and relies on microbial growth to metabolise the toxicants. The detoxification process is generally slow, taking weeks to months to accomplish. Furthermore, the methodology is not suited to the generally low aeration and nutrient content of contaminated water. However, the microorganisms capable of breaking down toxicants in contaminated soil can be sources of enzymes capable of detoxifying pesticide residues in such a low aeration, low nutrient medium. The application of such enzymes is particularly suited to pesticide-contaminated water in that they can achieve rapid remediation without the addition of nutrients or aeration.

The problem of pesticide contamination of water needs to be addressed prior to its release into the waterways. CSIRO Entomology, in conjunction with Orica Australia Pty Ltd. and CSIRO Molecular Science, has successfully developed enzyme-based bioremediation technologies for detoxifying pesticides in contaminated water prior to its release off-farm. For example, an organophosphate degrading enzyme has proven to be an effective and powerful tool for the rapid degradation of pesticide residues in agricultural and rinsate water. In a recent field trial, methyl parathion levels in 80,000 L of fast flowing run-off water in cotton farm drainage channels were reduced by 90% in less than ten minutes. This is a low concentration/high volume source of pesticide-contaminated water that also contains high levels of silt and other particulate matter. In a second field trial, enzyme treatment of rinsate from the washdown of pesticide spray equipment achieved a reduction in methyl parathion concentration of 90% in 10 minutes, and 99% after 1 hour. In contrast to the run-off water in the first trial, this rinsate is a high concentration/low volume source that also contains organic solvents. The application range of the technology has been broadened further to include diazinon detoxification in spent sheep-dip liquor, and the treatment of methyl parathion residues on the surface of leafy green vegetables. In a recent laboratory trial, the concentration of diazinon was reduced from 4.7 parts per million to below 1 part per billion (99.98% reduction), within 1 hour. In the trial involving leafy green vegetables, residues on the surface of baby bok choy were reduced by up to 95%. Given the complex nature of the surface of bok choy, this trial further demonstrated the utility of the enzyme technology.

Our research currently focuses on several major insecticide classes including organophosphates, carbamates, synthetic pyrethroids and the organochlorine, endosulfan. This project centres around the isolation of enzymes that degrade the toxic metabolite of endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate. As a result of this project we have isolated a bacterium that degrades endosulfan sulfate. This bacterial strain was isolated by providing endosulfan sulfate as the only source of sulfur to a soil microbial population. Sulfur is an essential component of living matter. Therefore only bacteria that could release the sulfur from endosulfan could survive. Removal of sulfur from endosulfan sulfate results in substantial detoxification. The enzyme responsible for this activity was cloned and characterised. The feasibility of conducting field trials of this enzyme in irrigation run-off was assessed in collaboration with our commercial partner, Orica Australia Limited. The requirement of co-factors for activity meant that alternative, more stable co-factors would need to be found, or another (non-co-factor requiring) gene / enzyme system isolated.

Gossypolis a naturally occurring sesquiterpene chemical and a product of secondary metabolism unique to cotton species. Gossypol is important to the cotton plant because it provides a degree of natural resistance against pests and diseases. Gossypolis the end product of just one branch of sesquiterpene biosynthesis in cotton, with other branches leading to the antibacterial phytoalexins of the Iacinilene group, and the important pest protection chemicals of the heliocides. It and its derivatives are stored in the gossypol glands spread throughout the plant as well as being induced in other tissues when the plants are attacked by disease organisms. Unfortunately gossypol is toxic to humans and monogastric animals, and cottonseed products must undergo expensive post-harvest treatments to remove the high levels of gossypol from oil and meal before consumption. The ideal cotton plant would possess high levels of gossypol in the plant and negligible levels in the seed. This is a characteristic already present in the native Australian cotton species, Gossypium sturtianum, however has proven exceedingly difficult to introgress this trait into cultivated species by traditional breeding methods. Genetic engineering offers another way of producing this phenotype if we have a clear understanding of the enzymes and genes responsible for gossypol production. This project aimed to clone some of the important genes in gossypol biosynthesis and use them in transgenic plants to specifically reduce gossypol production in cotton seeds.

The 14th International Symposium on Plant Lipids was held from 23-28 July 2000 in Cardiff, UK. This is a biennial gathering of international research groups working on the structure, metabolism and molecular biology of plant lipids. Nearly 300 delegates from 31 countries participated in the conference. At the conference,the delegates discussed the most recent advances of our knowledge about a wide range of research fields in plant lipids, including fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis and catabolism, lipid analysis, roles of lipids in membrane functions, cell signalling, and applications of modern molecular techniques in genetic engineering of oilseeds.

The project was established in response to grower support to promote the adoption of new technologies into sound management practices in the Balonne rivers irrigation area, St George to Dirranbandi. As part of the Cotton CRC extension program it involved the development of a framework of regional trials/demonstrations (in liaison with researchers) as part of a group adoption process to facilitate better communication between farmers, advisers and researchers from government and agribusiness.

The Industry Development Extension Officer would co-ordinate demonstration trials, take a

role in information transfer with the region's growers associations and assist grower direct

and respond to gaps in the current research base as well as adapt existing technology to local needs.

The adoption of new technologies, AWM, IPM and BMP play a large role in meeting the cotton industry's objectives of maintaining and promoting the most sustainable and profitable practices, for benefit of the industry as a whole and the communities/areas where cotton is grown.

In earlier times much research was left on the shelf by growers because of the perception that it was not applicable in their situation or locality. Many growers carry out on-farm trials and demonstrations to help them fine tune management. An extension officer takes a role as an intermediary enabling this on farm trial and demonstration work to continue on a co-ordinated basis as well as ensuring the latest research is incorporated into these trials.

The International Congress of Entomology is the premier conference in this field. There were a wide range of symposia/sessions, many with particular emphasis on topics of relevance to agriculture and cotton. Some examples included sesslons on; acarology, agricultural entomology, ecology and population dynamics, chemical and physiological ecology, integrated pest management and insect disease vectors.

The Vth International conference on B. thuringiensis was well attended with almost all the leading Bt researchers participating. In addition to four symposia on various aspects of Bt research and contributed paper and poster sessions, the Bt conference included a workshop "Public concerns about Transgenic cotton" that ran for three sessions.

The primary purpose of the travel was to attend the "Gene and genome duplications and the evolution of novel gene functions. Conference which was held in Aussios, France from the 25/4/2001 to the 30/4/2001. The conference was attended mainly by scientists based in America and Europe, consisting of no more than 150 attendants. The conference allowed me to present my work, in the form of a poster presentation, and to discuss both the work that I have completed and that which I am still planning to undertake as part of my PhD project. I found the chance of discussing my work and ideas with members of the wider scientific community a very worthwhile opportunity.

Profitability of cotton production is being theathened by resource limitations and reduced margins. The impact of agronomic decisions affect profitability and many of these decisions involve a degree of risk associated with factors such as rainfall variability. In many situations, history can serve as our best guide to the potential risks or benefits of a particular strategies. This knowledge can be tempered with local information to provide a basis for making informed decisions with a reasonable understanding of the risks and benefits. The use of crop models is an ideal and can be often the only way to address these sorts of issues.This project primarily focused on identifying and researching the most appropriate means of delivering systems simulation to industry clients'.

Adoption of BMP in all facets of cotton growing and processing is now well underway. Commitment to the process of constant improvement involves not only growers, but all personnel who play a role in this innovative industry.

This pocket guide for groundhog operators is one part of the CRDC commitment to providing the tools to allow industry participants to achieve best practice.

Objective - To order and purchase a new file server and install it at ACRI. Achieved - A new file SERVER (Dell AS-P11/4400) has been installed at ACRI and is fully functional.