2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Develop management practices for pest control in cotton. Evaluate and develop elite cotton germplasm for yield, quality and pest resistance. Develop improved agronomic practices for cotton production in an environment of changing technology. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Determine response of pests to available control practices. Evaluate response of cotton to management practices such as planting date, fertility practices and plant growth control. Measure pest response to application of control measures. Develop elite cotton germplasm and measure response in state yield tests. Transfer genes for resistance to diseases, insects and nematode into Delta-type cotton using traditional and molecular-assisted practices. Test alternative means to control pests with tolerance to normal control practices. 3.Progress Report Currently registered seed treatment nematicides reduced nematode numbers twelve weeks after planting. There were no significant differences in seed cotton yields and nematode numbers at the end of the growing season. In-furrow applied nematicides were erratic. Efficacy depended on weather conditions following application. In some trials, there was no rainfall and the nematicide was not activated. In other trials, there was too much rainfall and the nematicide washed away. There were no significant differences in reniform nematode numbers and seed cotton yields between the early and normal planted cotton. In a three-year study, it was confirmed that corn rotation significantly reduced reniform numbers and increased seed cotton yields when cotton was grown again. It was also confirmed that nematode numbers built up to high numbers when cotton was grown following corn. Research showed that the addition of a in-furrow nematicide in the corn did not significantly reduced nematode numbers and allow the producer to grow cotton for two years before rotation back to corn. Numbers of nematodes were reduced slightly with the use of anhydrous ammonia; however, significant seed cotton yield increases did not occur. ADODR used site visit, email and telephone conferences to monitor activities of the project.