We have also devised nitrogen fertiliser strategies to suit crop nutritional requirements. Soil and plant tests have been calibrated to predict optimum fertiliser rates and we are currently investigating the benefits of crop rotation and soil tillage strategies. Susceptibility of cotton to premature senescence is another of our major projects. This work focuses as differences between cultivars and cotton ' s requirement for potassium and we are particularly interested in the affect that growing conditions and other nutrients has on its uptake. Weed control in cotton has traditionally relied heavily on hand chipping and herbicides.
Research aims to develop stable, integrated weed management systems.
Current research programs concentrate on examining nutgrass management and the developing sustainable low input weed management systems. We studied the susceptibility of clay soils to compaction under cultivation and traffic in field experiments and have found that cultivating wet soil can damage soil structure and cause reduced growth and yield in following crops. A soil management package, SOlLpak, was developed to advise on preventing or curing damaged soil structure. The objective of the plant pathology program is to find ways to minimise diseases that limit cotton production. The program also includes yearly surveys of crops throughout the NSW cotton growing areas to determine the incidence and severity of diseases .