Effective resistance monitoring underpins the Australian cotton resistance management strategy for insects and mites. We present monitoring data for two-spotted mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch and bean spider mite, Tetranychus ludeni Zacher for cotton seasons 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. Abamectin (Wizzard) propargite (Comite), diafenthiuron (Pegasus) and chlorfenapyr (intrepid) resistance were not detected however there was a worrying reduction in chlorfenapyr dose-response slope values between seasons. Bifenthrin (Talstar) resistance is increasing in both level and abundance in T.urticae but was not detected in T. ludeni. Profenofos resistance in T. urticae has dropped from a peak of 541x in 1999-2000 to 221x in 2000-2001 but would likely still give negligible control

Strains of cotton aphid and the green peach aphid were collected from cotton producing faints in eastern Australia. Green peach aphid was rarely collected but resistance to Curacron and Pirimor was documented. The abundance of cotton aphid populations showing Primer resistance appears be increasing, however, in contrast the abundance of Curacron may have reduced during 2001 I 2002. Talstar resistance was detected although the product is not registered for aphid control. Endosulfan, Confidor and Pegasus resistance was not detected. The results underpin the resistance management strategy for aphids in Australian cotton and are discussed in conjunction with management recommendations based on IPM principles.

The main aim of this project was to develop a low-cost multispectral airborne video imaging system (referred to as MAVIS) for detecting and monitoring spatial and temporal variations in the vigour of irrigated cotton crops caused by moisture related and other forms of stress. A related objective was to develop standard procedures to acquire, to analyse crop canopy spectral response with the aid of digital image processing, and to calibrate video imagery using traditional agronomic and field measurements for more effective management of water and other crop inputs. The ultimate goal was to assess the feasibility of establishing a commercial fee-for service operation to monitor and manage crops using digital analysis of airborne video imagery.

Cotton production worldwide uses 11 per cent of global insecticides each year and the trend continues to increase (Pesticide News, 2001). Overuse of pesticides can cause human ill-health, increase pest resistance and disrupt the activities of beneficial insects. At least 520 species of insects and mites, 50 plant diseases and 113 weed species have become resistant to insecticides, fungicides and herbicides meant to control them (Pesticide News V01. 47 and 48). There are two extremes in pest management. The first is organic where no pesticides are used to produce crops (this is not economical in Australian cotton production); the second is chemical control where only synthetic insecticides are used in pest management (this strategy is not sustainable and environmentally not acceptable). In between the two or halfway between the two extremes lies an integrated pest management system (IPM) where all types of control options viz; biological, cultural, chemical etc are integrated to manage pests on crops. The IPM approach reduces dependence on synthetic pesticides to control pests. The adoption of IPM for insect control by the Australian Cotton Industry may be regarded as a continuous journey of discovery. The industry has come a long way to reach where we are now. The industry has reached a point in their journey and are stagnating instead of moving forward to reach its goal (i.e. adoption of a true IPM). The point where the industry has reached and which is causing stagnation is the so called &quote;soft option&quote; IPM

Discussions with any number of people in the cotton industry will indicate that the move towards integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been one of the most significant changes in the industry in recent years, As a pest management strategy that utilises a range of tools to achieve economic, environmental and sustainable management of pests, IPM has been essential for an industry facing significant public pressure as well as the need to economically manage pests that have shown an increasing resistance to conventional insecticides. The use of crop checking and thresholds is an IPM tool that has been used by the industry for many years, Significant effort in research, development, extension and agronomic advice is refining and improving other elements of IPM programs, particularly for the management of insect pests. With this in mind, how does the industry as a whole view IPM?

In the last 5 years there has been a dramatic and exciting shift in pest management approaches in Australian cotton, away from reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides as the main line of defence against pests, toward a more integrated pest management (IPM) based approach. This change has had a number of drivers, some positive, such as the advent of INGARD varieties which have reduce insecticide inputs by 40-60% making IPM more achievable, some negative, such as increased costs of pest control($400 to $1000/ha), increased insecticide resistance and environmental concerns due to off-target drift (Wilson, 2000). IPM was born in the heady days following the development and release of the early synthetic insecticides in response to just these types of problems. Insecticides dramatically increased the productivity of many agricultural and horticultural crops. However, problems with insecticide resistance, primary pest resurgence and secondary pest outbreaks due to destruction of beneficial insects, human health and environmental pollution soon become apparent (Stern et al. 1959). The aim of IPM systems therefore is to minimise the use of synthetic insecticides, to reduce the problems above, yet maintain profitability.

The number of methods of marketing open to Australian cotton growers has increased in recent years, providing growers with an opportunity to better manage financial risk. In particular, processing and marketing organisations now administer hedging strategies involving the use of futures markets. The main alternative marketing methods , including strategies using futures, have been simulated for the years from 1973-74 to 1987-88 in an attempt to quantify the levels of recurin and risk that they provide. It is concluded that the partial hedging strategies now available provide an opportunity to manage financial risk, albeit at a slight cost

Malvaceae weeds are becoming an increasingly significant problem in Australian cotton farming systems. Narrow and wide leafbladder ketmia, Hibiscus trionum var. trionum and and Hibiscus trionum var. vesicarius respectively, have been found on 85% of all cotton fields surveyed. Anoda weed (Anoda cristata) has become widespread in many Queensland (Qld) cotton growing areas and continues to spread into New South Wales (NSW), while velvetleaf or Swamp Chinese lantern (Abutilon theophrasti) is thought to be currently isolated to small areas of northern NSW. This paper examines the distribution and potential spread of each of these species, and contains some photographs to enhance identification. Species-specific control of these weeds is difficult to achieve because of their genetic, physiological and phenological similarities to cotton. This paper also outlines the &quote;Best Bet&quote; Management options for these weeds, sourced from a series of grower, on-farm agronomist and consultant interviews. This information has been published in WEEDpak.

Cotton-trash and feedlot-manure has been processed by composting worms over three months to produce vermicompost, an organic residue reputed to improve soil conditions for plant growth. A paddock-scale trial has been established to evaluate the effects of these worm-worked organic wastes on cotton production

The weed spectrum of many areas in the Australian cotton industry is not well documented. in addition, there is very little information known about the weed species present in the Hillston area and which of these weeds will present a problem to the expansion of cotton growing in the area. To address some of these issues, a weed survey was undertaken on three farms in the Hillston area on November 21 and 22 - 2001, just prior to first cultivation of many of the fields. The fields surveyed covered a range of production systems including conventional cotton, Roundup Ready cotton on two metre beds, twin row conventional cotton planted on two metre beds, and Roundup Ready' cotton planted on UNR beds. Assessments were conducted along transects from the tail ditch to the head ditch and weeds assessed in both rows and furrows on a number of transects (the actual number was dependent on the field size).