Controlled traffic farming (CTF) practices can reduce the wheel-tracked area by ≥50% compared with conventional, non-organised mechanisation systems. CTF enables for improved trafficability and timeliness of field operations. Avoidance of traffic compaction in CTF systems improves water and fertiliser-use efficiency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and energy requirements of tillage operations. A shift towards increased adoption of CTF is likely to improve the sustainability and long-term viability of cotton production.

Two novel high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits inherited from rye were detected and characterized in the Chinese wheat cultivar Xiaoyanmai 7. Karyotypic analysis showed that six of the seven pairs of Xiaoyanmai 7ʹs D genome chromosomes had been replaced by rye chromosomes.

This study describes the search for favorable QTLs for agronomic traits contributed by a Spanish landrace, in a barley backcross population. The landrace can provide favorable alleles to improve grain yield, particularly under low yielding conditions. QTL from the elite cultivar can be used to increase grain yield and simultaneously reduce plant height. The results are useful and may be of interest for barley breeders elsewhere.

N uptake efficiency of maize grown as monoculture and intercropped with tropical forages under a no-tillage system in conjunction with measurements of soil microbial biomass N and available N were evaluated. The inclusion of forage species in intercropping systems did not alter the recovery efficiency of N applied to maize and it increased soil microbial biomass N and available N. Soil was the main N source for maize.

A set of 189 single-seed descent lines of winter faba bean were used to study their genetic variation in winter hardiness and yield traits. Association mapping was performed using 156 SNP markers to identify alleles responsible for target traits. Candidate genes for winter hardiness and yield attributes were identified using synteny with legume model Medigcao truncatula. Promising winter fabe bean genotypes were identified.

This paper compares the seasonal dry matter production and water use efficiency of three pasture mixes where lucerne was substituted for subterranean clover. In 2-year field experiment, the lucerne mixtures contributed a greater supply of feed for a limited water supply in late spring, summer and winter than equivalent mixtures with subteranean clover.  Relative to pure lucerne, the mixtures had a less build-up of soil nitrogen and weeds.

Grey leaf spot infection and impact on yield of narrow leafed lupin were greatest in susceptible varieties when inoculum was present throughout the growing season as infested lupin trash. Rainfall was shown to promote spore release from trash and support disease development. In a series of small plot inoculated experiments, yield loss greater than 60% occurred in a susceptible variety sown over infested trash.

In the present study, the effects of Bacillus subtilis strain GB03 on seed germination and growth were investigated in Codonopsis pilosula. GB03 significantly improved seed germination, shoot and root length, branching, plant biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate. This study provides insight for the application of selected bacteria to improve biomass in Chinese herbal crops.

Thermal imaging has been used to evaluate the response to drought and warm temperatures of sixty-one Brachypodium distachyon lines adapted to varied environmental conditions. The consistent inverse thermographic response of the lines to water stress and heat supports that stomatal-based mechanisms are involved in natural variation for drought tolerance in this model cereal. The results validate the reliability of the methodology for preliminary screening of drought tolerant genotypes in Brachypodium.

Spatial variability of leaf nutrients in oil palm plantations of India were examined for implementation of site-specific fertilisation programme. Geostatistical analysis of leaf nutrients like N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and B in oil palm plantations at different locations exhibited different distribution pattern warranting the necessity of determining spatial variability of nutrient status of oil palm plantations before planning a differential fertiliser programme.