WITH the introduction of Bollgard 3 to the cotton market, and the extended planting window that comes with it, DAF cotton extension officer Sharna Holman said trials in the Central Highlands had definitely kicked off for the 2016/17 season.
“The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have several CRDC-funded projects and trial sites this cotton season all which have links to areas of concern or interest to growers and the cotton industry,” Ms Holman said.
“Dr Paul Grundy’s project, identifying the opportunity for planting in August to capitalise on spring time radiation and temperatures for boll filling, has been extended to gain additional data for crop modelling.
“The project this season will also include the benchmarking of commercial crops planted from August – December to look at how the different planting dates impact on crop physiology and economic comparatives to assist growers their own decision making.”
In addition to the optimum planting time trials, mealybugs are also on DAF’s agenda.
“Mealybugs have been a key pest within Central Queensland since being found in the region in 2009,” Ms Holman said.
“Typically mealybugs are found in two types of scenarios of either highly aggregated hot spots in a field or in few numbers throughout the entire field.
“Dr Richard Sequeira’s research is exploring control options associated with both hot spot and overall field management of mealybugs using chemical control with supplementary beneficial insects, as well as IPM friendly options to provide growers and industry with various management options for the different mealybug scenarios they could encounter during the season.”
Alongside fellow Emerald DAF cotton researcher Gail Spargo, Ms Holman is also busy at work collaborating with CSRIO and the NSW Department of Primary Industries working on a range of trials relevant to local growers.
These trials include insecticide resistance monitoring, moth productivity and emergence from prominent regional crops and factors that are affecting the fibre quality and colour grades received by growers.
Ms Holman said several growers in the local region had already taken advantage of the extra flexibility Bollgard 3 was offering them.
Several growers in Central Queensland have taken advantage of the new planting window opening in August and have already planted cotton while other growers plan to take advantage of the extended window and will plant cotton after harvesting chickpea later in the year.
Approximately 3,000 hectares of cotton has already been planted in CQ.
Kelly Butterworth
Rockhampton-based journalist covering all things ag.
Rockhampton-based journalist covering all things ag.
