This document provides a brief outline of the projects CRDC has invested in for 2019-2020 (current as of June 2019).

It has been accepted for many years that there is an interaction between plants

and the microbiological life that exists in soil. This interaction is particularly

important in the rhizosphere (Hiltner, 1904), where plant exudates directly feed the

microbial population, which in turn is responsible for nutrient cycling, production of

growth promoters, and occasionally development of pathogenicity. These factors are

important to plant health. However, the difficulties of studying such interactions in

the soil and the inability to grow the majority of soil microorganisms in the

laboratory have resulted in limited research in this area.

With the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops into agricultural

production systems, public concern resulted in renewed interest and research into

the possible environmental consequences of growing GM Crops(Brookes and

Barfoot, 2005). This included the potential impact of GM crops on soil microbiology.

GM crops have the potential to influence soil microbiology through (i)the exudation

of transgenic proteins from the rootsystem, (ii)the release of transgenic proteins

from broken and dying roots, (iii) the incorporation of above ground plant material

into the soil, and (iv) differences in exudation chemistry (Gupta and Watson, 2004;

Knox et a1. , 2006; Saxena and Stotzky, 2001).

Between 2003 and 2006 we assessed the potential for GM cotton, expressing

either insecticidal Bt-proteins, glyphosate tolerance or both traits, to influence the

soil microbiota. The analysis of the rhizosphere microbiology showed some

differences, but none that were specifically identified as being caused by the

expression of the introduced transgenic material(Knox et a1. , 2004). The results did,

however, imply that cotton variety and family groupings were more likely to be

associated with the observed differences in the rhizosphere microbiota.

In this project we investigated the impact and significance of variety driven

alteration of rhizosphere microbiology for a number of Australian cotton varieties.

With a reduced number of Bt stewardship research projects, the need to provide financial support for travel to Bt tech meetings may increase. It is particularly important to maintain the Bt tech panel with considered and unbiased technical support.

The attendees participated in the Bt tech panel meeting, providing significant contribution to discussions with Bayer, Research opportunities and engagement opportunities with CottonInc representatives and bio security research opportunities.

Several issues developing around Bt crops [chickpea, pigeonpea, sorghum] at ICRISAT. Considerable difficulties with achieving high expression and lack of clear understanding of deployment or management needs. This is particularly significant in an environment where Bt cotton is already grown and likely to be very extensively grown before any further Bt crops are deployed. ICRISAT committed to providing technology and varieties at no cost to producers, but has limited capacity to really engage with producers.

Delivered a seminar on “Bt cotton in Integrated Pest Management” and stressed the issues of coordinated use of Bt genes across crops.

Managing sustainable cotton production is becoming more difficult with the ever-increasing demand on limited resources. In addition cotton growers are facing increased pressures to manage resources more cost effectively and to be more accountable for the impact that their decisions make on the surrounding environment. Computer based decision support systems (DSS) and simulation models are being developed and used to provide cotton growers with the best information and tools available from research to assist with their management decisions. A primary aim of the decision support and modelling teams in the cotton industry is to utilise sound and up to date technology, and integrate this technology across different electronic platforms and mechanisms, and finally delivering it to the industry for adoption ‘Science into Practice’.

While the flagship of cotton decision support is CottonLOGIC (registered copies 1175 Dec. 2001), there are many other tools that are being developed by the group such as the handheld version of CottonLOGIC, HydroLOGIC and the Cotton CRC’s website. Supporting existing products, changing computer systems (eg. Windows 3.11 to Windows 95, 98, 2000 and now Windows XP), and continued demands for other computerised decision support tools to be developed and demands by industry to explore new opportunities, place significant pressure on the resources of the decision support team to meet all these needs. Presently, one full time programmer is assigned to developing CottonLOGIC decision support tools, however, much of his time can be dedicated in supporting and refining CottonLOGIC to meet users requirements.

The aim of this report is to provide a picture of how IPM is working on the ground, by giving an understanding of the thoughts of cotton growers and consultants in relation to IPM. Quantitative and qualitative information is used to assist in this goal.

Of particular interest are the attitudes of growers to the individual components of a successful IPM approach. Their commitment to Area Wide Management(AWM) Strategies and the barriers they encounter are discussed in this report. Similarly, the role of beneficials and the recovery of the plantfrom damage is considered. Agronomic Consultants are central to the implementation of insect management strategies. This report aims to provide an overview of their experience and impressions, and how management has changed overtime.

This document highlights the performance of Bollgard cotton in the Australian Industry during the 2004-05 season. Data drawn from the 2003-04 season and aggregate data from 2002-03 are also used to provide background trend data. In conjunction with the empirical quantative data, qualitative information from growers and consultants is used to inform the reader of the underlying thoughts and attitiudes surrounding issues of importance to the industry.

CRDC’s Grassroots Grants program encourages Cotton Grower Associations to apply for funding to support capacity building projects in their region. Up to $10,000 in funding is available for CGAs to help fund a project aimed at increasing the engagement of growers in the industry, solving specific regional issues and improving their skills, knowledge base and networks. Since the Grassroots Grants program commenced in 2011, it has supported over 44 projects across the cotton growing valleys.

Catchment, water resources and agricultural management are undergoing significant and difficult change in the Northern Murray-Darling Basin (NMDB). This Report has been developed following the interest of a number of investors who wished to understand the extent that current information will prevent the satisfactory implementation of these new policies, and of achieving sustainable natural resources and agricultural outcomes.

The expansion of the insectary facilities will enable the reseach infrastructure capacity of ACRI to meet the increasing demands of the Industry for entomology research. This is important given the evolution of practices and the increasing reliance on IPM strategies. An increasing focus on IPM and the need for good information on resistance has prompted the need for updated facilities. An application was made to CRDC to assist with funding the building of a new insectary to compliment and expand the existing facilities. This grant was successful and was made jointly to NSW Agriculture and CSIRO, with NSW Agriculture to administer the project. The grant was partial and contingent on additional funding coming from each of these organisations to meet the full cost of building the new insectary.

The additional insectary (Insectary 3) has rectified the problem of overcrowding and lack of bench and storage space. The new facility has specific design features including a temperature controlled room, separate work benches and work station areas that are highly functional and enhance the efficiency of entomology research.