Temperature plays many important roles in the growth and development of cotton.

Many beneficial arthropods exhibit life-history omnivory (Polis & Strong 1996), in that they include honeydew, floral nectar, extra-floral nectar and/or pollen in their immature or adult diet (Hagen 1986; Coll

Fusarium wilt is an economically important disease of cotton in Australia. Disease occurs at the intersection of pathogen, plant, and environment (Figure I).

Cold shock at temperatures below 11C was previously believed to delay cotton development. This paper tested whether exposure to 10C for 10 and 20 nights affected tissue viability.

There appears to have been a change in the importance of pests presenting cotton over the last decade. This has involved former secondary pests, such as aphids, A. gossypii, minds, Creontiodes spp.

Resistance in the cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) is a major new threat to Australian cotton production (Herron et al. 2001).

There is increasing interest in utilising Trichogramma egg parasitoids against helothis(Helicoverpa spp. ) in cotton, and crops that may act as sources of parasitoids for cotton -such as sorghum.

The Australian Cotton Industry has enjoyed a reputation as a reliable supplier of high quality cotton. This reputation is underpinned by a progressive, effective and responsible industry.

Groundwater, under the right conditions can be of benefit to plants. For example, cotton can derive substantial water from groundwater at depths of around 2.6m (Wanender et al 1979).

The results of annual disease surveys continue to indicate the importance of soil-borne plant pathogens. Seedling diseases are controlled by the use of fungicide seed treatments.

It has been ten long years since the CoAG reform agreement was first formalised between the state and federal governments.

Trichogramma pretiosum is a key natural enemy of heliothis (Helicoverpa spp. ) on the Darling Downs. The data presented here describe some of the biological parameters of T.

Biotechnology has been practiced in agriculture for millennia, including through traditional selection for pest resistant crop varieties.

Water for irrigation is the limiting resource for cotton production in Australia.

Airborne volatiles emitted by flowers and other vegetative plant parts that attract insects for feeding and egg-laying could be useful in pest management.

Trichogramma pretiosum Riley is an important parasitoid of heliothis (Helicoverpa spp.) eggs throughout the Darling Downs.

As with the introduction of any new technology, when it occurs rapidly, there is likely to be mixed views from users unless it is self-evident that its advantages out-weigh its disadvantages.

In June this year, I spent three days in a light aircraft traversing what seemed like the length of the country, looking at cotton farms and meeting with the people who are making their living out of these enterprises

Sicot F-1 is a new cotton variety released in 2004. It has been developed specifically in response to the appearance of a new unique strain of the Fusarium wilt pathogen in Australia.

Petroleum spray oils (PSOs) have been used for many decades to control a wide range of crop pests (Beattie et al 1995) and are known to have little impact on natural enemies of crop pests (Mensah et al 1995).