The findings from the research highlight a number of key issues which have already been outlined in my previous reports, however, these are repeated in summary as follows; * First, the results have confirmed the results of previous local and international studies which indicated that endosulfan I is the more volatile isomer. However, the study has shown that both isomers readily volatilise from a free water surface. * Secondly, the principal isomer of endosulfan (endosulfan I), can be rapidly degraded by naturally occurring soil microorganisms from tailwater drain sediments when these organisms are encouraged to grow in anaerobic growth media in laboratory liquid cultures. This finding indicates the potential of microorganisms to degrade endosulfan in environments where oxygen is limiting. *Thirdly, endosulfan is dissipated at a slow rate from both sullage pit soils and soils from a cotton growing field under aerated conditions in the laboratory. This occurs regardless of whether the soil is sterilised or biologically active. It is likely that the absence of readily available forms of carbon in these soils limited the degradation rates.

... This project's major goal was the development of tissue culture regeneration and transformation protocols for Australian cottons and to use such protocols to demonstrate the potential benefits to the industry of producing new cultivars by genetic engineering. These objectives have clearly been met with the production of cotton plants that are either tolerant to a herbicide or to insect pests. Specific details are are outlined below

This project was a transitional one covering only one year to enable the incorporation of all our CRDC breeding projects under one submission (CSP 40C). Thus the vital work to develop Verticillium tolerant and Bt transgenic cottons will continue in that project

An Orthman Mk II tracking unit was purchased in October 1991 prior to cotton sowing. The unit was successful in planting CSIRO's Leitch's block using a Kinze planter. Modifications to NSW Agriculture listing rig was conducted over summer to accommodate the tracking sensors which are fixed at the front of the listing rig, together with the manufacture of suitable marking arms to accommodate minimum tillage experiments. The 1992/93 cotton areas have been prepared using the Orthman tracker and has eliminated the 'guess row' errors previously experienced. The tracker will be used through the coming season for inter-row cultivation, now that standard width rows have been constructed

This is an on-going project of breeding cottons adapted to Australian growing conditions, diseases and pests and markets.

The Winter 2022 edition of CRDC's magazine, Spotlight, showcases some major developments in cotton R&D, highlighting the incredibly innovative nature of our cotton growers, researchers and partners: built on a culture of strong support for RD&E.

Creating vaccines for plants against pests – both disease and insect – is a game-changer for agriculture. The development of BioClay for use against silverleaf whitefly at the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Translational Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection comes as great news for the cotton industry. The Hub is being led by University of Queensland in collaboration with 15 partners, including CRDC and fellow RDCs GRDC, Wine Australia and Hort Innovation.

CRDC is also part of a ground-breaking project to address spray drift. The much-anticipated collaboration with GRDC and Goanna Ag was announced in March, with the first in a network of towers being installed in April. This represents the single biggest investment in CRDC’s history and the most significant move to improve spray application via R&D.

R&D has also come to the fore with recent yields in central Queensland. News of yields above 23 bales per hectare is extraordinary and speaks to the ability of the industry – our researchers and growers – to adapt to climatic conditions to grow cotton. CRDC has long supported QLD DAF research in central Queensland to improve outcomes for growers, and the results have gone above and beyond our expectations. The story behind these yields is great reading in this edition.

The 2021-22 year marked the fourth year under the CRDC Strategic RD&E Plan 2018–23. The strategic RD&E investments that CRDC made in 2021-22 under this plan are helping to continue to drive the Australian cotton industry towards a future of innovation, increased commercialisation and digital transformation. In 2021-22, Australian cotton growers and the Australian Government co-invested $18.3 million through CRDC into cotton RD&E, across 213 projects and in collaboration with 97 research partners. The investments were made in the five key areas identified in the Strategic RD&E Plan: increasing productivity and profitability on Australian cotton farms; improving cotton farming sustainability and value chain competitiveness; building the adaptive capacity of the Australian cotton industry; strengthening partnerships and adoption; and driving RD&E impact. In this report, we bring you an update on our progress towards our strategic goals – our investments, our innovations, and our intended impacts – four years into our Strategic RD&E Plan 2018–23.

The 2022 Australian Cotton Production Manual is a critical reference tool for cotton growers. The manual is a one-stop-shop for growers, outlining all the various decisions that need to be made on-farm in preparation for, and during, cotton production. The manual provides an understanding of cotton physiology, and discusses important considerations for both productivity and profitability. The Australian Cotton Production Manual is published by CRDC and CottonInfo and is updated each year to incorporate the latest research and consistent improvements in industry best practice.