Attendance and presentation of a scientific research paper at the joint conference of American Societies of Agronomy, Soil Science and Crop Science at Phoenix, Arizona, USA (https://www.acsmeetings.org). Additionally, meetings with University of Arizona and USDA-ARS staff (Maricopa Research Centre) conducting research on alternative sources of irrigation water and cotton farming systems in saline and sodic soils and then on return, updating University of Southern Queensland(USQ) researchers on current research on using wastewater for irrigation.

The travel undertaken consisted of (a) Pre-conference tours on regional pedology (4-5 November 2016) and irrigated cropping systems of central Arizona (6 November 2016). (b) Attend and present paper at the international joint conference of the American Societies of Agronomy, Soil Science and Crop science. Approximately 4000 oral and poster papers were presented at the conference which was attended by around 6000 delegates. (c) Visit Arid Lands Research Centre of the University of Arizona and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. I was hosted by Dr. Clinton Williams, soil scientist at the centre. Dr. Williams’ research focusses on issues related to saline water and effluent irrigation. (d) Visit to University of Southern Queensland for discussions with Dr. Jon Bennet and Aditiya Dang.

The resulting outcomes from Dr Hullagale's participation were lengthy

(1) Exposure of my research results to an international audience (number of attendees at this conference usually exceeds 4000). The feedback received will enhance formulation of future research activities.

(2) Interaction and discussions with soil scientists and agronomists working on alternative irrigation water sources and irrigated cotton farming systems in saline/sodic soils of semi-arid and arid zones will facilitate future collaborations.

The above topics are highly relevant to Australian cotton farming systems. The reduced availability of irrigation water due to drought and legislation, and its increasing cost suggests that alternative sources of water, its management and impact on soil quality will be of increasing importance in the future. Sodicity is common, and transient salinity during drought years is not uncommon in Australian cotton soils.

(3) Current USQ project on wastewater irrigation refined in the light of recent US research on wastewater irrigation.