New genetic (G) × management (M) strategies that stabilise flowering time are needed to lift water-limited yield potential in the increasingly variable climate of the south-eastern Australian wheatbelt. Our simulation experiments predict that long-coleoptiles winter wheats sown after long fallow allow for early crop establishment with access to more stored soil water, have stabilised flowering and maximise yield. The most promising G × M strategies identified in this study should be verified in field experiments.

Waterlogging limits the worldwide production of wheat on up to 15 Mha each year, and in India where waterlogging often occurs in alkaline and saline soils, it can result in complete crop loss. We explored the genetic diversity for waterlogging tolerance of wheat and showed that the number of tillers is highly correlated with waterlogging tolerance at the vegetative stage. This trait provides potential for the rapid, non-destructive screening of wheat and possibly other cereals exposed to waterlogging.

Phosphorus (P) use efficiency was examined in a collection of up to 54 barley varieties in field trials over three years. Significant variation in growth and yield at 0 kg P/ha and response to 30 kg P/ha were measured among varieties. Variation in yield was more strongly associated with P uptake than with P utilisation efficiency. Seedling rhizosheath size was weakly associated with early growth but not to yield. The generic correlations between NDVI and yield were poor but were higher under low P.

ALA decreased the inhibitory effects of low temperature on maize seedling growth. ALA could further increase the accumulation of proline under low temperature. ALA improved the SOD activity in the SY13 maize cultivar under low temperature.

Piriformospora indica a cultivable root-colonising endophytic fungus that promotes plant growth, uptake of nutrients and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Because water deficit is one of the most important abiotic stresses in arid and semi-arid conditions, this study evaluated the effect of P. indica on millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) under water-stress conditions. The results indicated the positive effects of P. indica on growth of millet in both well-watered and water-stressed conditions in Hamedan, Iran.

In order to detect the bioavailability of prosulfocarb, pyroxasulfone and trifluralin in soil and crop residue, a two-plant-species bioassay using shoot-length inhibition of ryegrass and cucumber was developed. Italian ryegrass was more suitable for low concentrations and cucumber for high concentrations of herbicides. Chemical validation of this bioassay indicates that the calibration curves are suitable for estimating herbicide concentrations in crop residue collected soon after harvest and in a sandy-loam soil low in organic matter.

Effect of elevated atmospheric CO₂ was studied in Vigna radiata and two weed species (Euphorbia geniculata and Commelina diffusa). At elevated CO₂, weed–crop interaction altered in favour of E. geniclata (a weed) on account of showing higher transpiration and a stronger antioxidant defence system leading to considerable yield loss of V. radiata.

Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) is a drought-tolerant crop; however, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of its drought resistance remain understudied. Here, genotype MEIDOU 2012 was shown to have superior drought tolerance, and from it, drought-induced genes including transcription factors were identified by a suppressive subtractive hybridisation library method. Protein–protein interaction networks constructed with induced root-associated genes provide valuable information for the identification of pivotal drought-related molecular regulators in Lablab.

Annual ryegrass is a significant weed of Southern Australia and is frequently infected with the fungal endophyte Epichloë occultans. A survey of the potential links between endophyte infection, herbicide resistance and environmental conditions were investigated. Environmental selection pressures correlated with endophyte infection, although no significant correlation existed between endophyte infection and herbicide resistance.