Potassium (K) deficiency causes lodging problems and yield reductions in paddy fields in China. Zeolite is an inexpensive, K-rich silicate mineral with abundant reserves worldwide that could increase K supply to plants. This study proved that zeolite increases K fertiliser availability, relieves soil K deficiency, and enhances lodging-related stem morphology characteristics, reducing rice stem lodging.

Downy mildew caused by Peronospora variabilis is a common fungal disease in native quinoa growing in South America; however, the disease is spreading to other quinoa growing countries around the world. Existing quinoa cultivars do not have adequate levels of resistance to the disease. The present study revealed resistant germplasm that could be used for improving new quinoa cultivars resistant to the disease, and examined host–pathogen interactions by comparing disease related agronomic traits.

Lodging is an important agronomic trait that affects soybean yield. Based on linkage analysis, QTL related to lodging were detected. Genes in the interval covered by stable QTL were designed to predict the candidates. Results of quantitative real-time PCR verification showed that two genes were expressed differentially during the dynamic stages between the parents, demonstrating they are associated with soybean lodging. The QTL and candidate genes related to soybean lodging identified will be of significance in soybean molecular-assisted breeding for lodging resistance.

Soybean is an important crop worldwide, and pod and seed weight per plant is one of the most important components of soybean yield and biomass production. We used QTL mapping, cross-population validation and gene mining biotechnology to identify some key genes influencing the trait. Our results will provide a foundation for the cloning of candidate genes related to pod plus seed weight and marker-assisted breeding in soybean.

The growing human population and rapid climate change means sustainable improvement in the quantity and quality of food resources in altered climatic conditions is critical. Here we investigated variation for linseed grain yield and quality indices influenced by temperature and humidity. Diverse traits were found to be significantly affected by annual temperature and humidity. Results will help in future breeding programs for linseed and other oilseeds beneficial in human nutrition.

Weeds are the greatest constraint on yields in cropping systems generating potential yield losses estimated by 43%, on a global scale. Knowledge about the relationships between agricultural practices and weed establishment is relevant for integrated weed management decisions because of variable responses of different species. Seedling emergence of four important weed species was characterised for a variety of crop management scenarios. This will help improve the success of integrated weed management and reduce the use of herbicides.

Availability of fibre from roughage is one of the main factors associated with ruminant performance, and although sugarcane has a high yield potential, it is difficult to ensile and its fibre has low quality. We evaluated the addition of a blend of cellulolytic enzymes during sugarcane ensiling. Enzymes showed no effects on chemical composition or in vitro degradation of sugarcane silage but linearly increased effluent losses.

This study tested different strategies to control redlegged earth mites in field enclosures, following development of resistance in this pasture and crop pest to pyrethroids and organophosphates. Diafenthiuron, a chemical with a different mode of action, provided control of resistant mites. Applications of organophosphates provided some ongoing control without driving resistance to higher levels, whereas a single application of a pyrethroid resulted in mites almost completely resistant to this chemical group. There was no evidence for cross resistance between pyrethroids and organophosphates.