Real-time PCR assays were developed for simultaneous detection and quantification of three major viruses (BYDV, WDV, WSMV) of cereal crops, with worldwide importance. In a greenhouse study, WSMV titre was decreased approximately five times in mixed infections with BYDV or WDV as compared to the single WSMV infection. The results suggest antagonistic interactions among the viruses and the qPCR to be a high throughput standard for the plant-virus interactions study.

The feeding activity and movements of aphid sucking-piercing mouthparts within plant tissues were monitored electronically to reveal which forage legumes can avoid the pea aphid infestation. Susceptible legumes were easily accepted by the pea aphid as a food source while the resistant ones were rejected shortly after probing in epidermis. The resistant legumes can be applied in sustainable agriculture as barriers against A. pisum and viruses transmitted by this aphid.

Agroforestry is suggested as a method to increase agricultural yields however, there is uncertainty whether it is economically viable. We examined the evidence of shelter benefits from windbreaks to establish if a convincing business case for tree establishment could be made. We determined that although there is quantitative data available which supports windbreak benefits, additional research and economic modelling is required for an accurate estimation of long-term benefits.

The use of forage germplasm to boost tropical beef farming productivity and competitiveness in response to challenges created by climate variability is essential. The manuscript shows differences in the seasonal nutrient concentration and in vitro fermentative traits including microbial formation of methane in three Desmanthus species adapted to the northern Australia environment. Practical integration of legume’s variability may assist the industry and the academia to tackle climate change drivers and to identify new coordinated effort approaches.

In many south-eastern Australian dairying regions, supraoptimal ambient temperatures (T_a > 30°C) often challenge the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-dominated feed-base during the summer months. A glasshouse experiment found chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) was more tolerant than perennial ryegrass of combined supraoptimal temperature (day/night T_a of 38/25°C) and water deficit stress. Chicory may have a role to play in south-eastern Australian dairying systems, where supraoptimal temperature stress is a frequent and ongoing issue.

Projected warming and drying trend represent a major threat for sustainable forage production in Mediterranean grasslands. We project climate change impacts on the dry matter yield of irrigated grasslands in Portugal, for which the winter-spring season reveals increased yield, but markedly decreasing in summer. Summer reductions are primarily attributed to severe heat stress, thus deserving further research on heat-tolerant germplasm.

Parthenium weed has a serious adverse impact upon rangeland productivity, agricultural crop production, human and animal health and biodiversity of natural communities. The aims of this study were to assess parthenium weed plant residues for their phytotoxic competence. Parthenium weed residue was considered to be only moderately phytotoxic suggesting that the phytotoxicity of its residue may not be the main reason for the plants invasive trait.

Low plant-available phosphorus in degraded arid steppes greatly limits plant growth. Exterior phosphorus was added to estimate whether fertilisation can improve soil phosphorus availability and increase plant yield in degraded steppe. Phosphorus fertilisation improved the soil phosphorus availabilities, unchanged the plant yields in dry years, and a low rate of phosphorus fertilisation is recommended in wet years to improve the soil phosphorus status and steppe plant productivity.