Extension of weed research outcomes through the Australian cotton industry

摘要

This paper describes a theoretical approach to extension strategies and the structure of weeds extension for the Australian cotton industry, The approach to be discussed is based on the concept of innovation design by Leeuwis and Van den Ban (2004), that all stakeholders interact to develop solutions to problems. While the cotton extension team currently uses aspects of this approach, this paper describes why a more coordinated approach to solving problems needs to be used. Weeds are a significant problem in the Australian cotton industry as they result in loss of production efficiency. Technological and agronomic developments in the cotton industry have led to the emergence of other significant issues related to weeds. Weeds can be hosts for soil borne disease and insects. Another emerging issue is the management of glyphosate-tolerant cotton varieties when they become weeds in following crops. The Australian cotton industry has invested a considerable amount of money to research weed problems andto develop integrated weed management strategies for the cotton production system. These research outcomes will only be effective if adopted by growers. The processes for successful adoption of this research present real challenges for all sectors of industry - not just for extension personnel. The key to the management and adoption of these research outcomes is cooperation between cotton growers, and research and extension staff in the Australian Cotton Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). The CRC ethicis to have collaboration, communication and cooperation between all researchers, extension officers and industry stakeholders. Extension staff in the Australian cotton industry use various methods of technology transfer and group facilitation to achievethe goals of sustainable cotton production. An improved understanding of extension techniques will provide improved effectiveness of personnel employed and resources available.