Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. mungcola (Fom), is an important disease of mungbean in China. Pathogenic variability of Fom isolates has been observed. This study developed a set of Fom pathotype differential hosts and identified 12 Fom pathotypes, providing important information for resistance breeding and disease control of Fusarium wilt.

Flavour is an essential quality characteristic of soymilk; however, volatile compounds such as 2-heptenal can make it unacceptable to consumers. Through genome-wide association analysis, this study detected 62 novel quantitative trait nucleotides located on 18 different chromosomes that are significantly associated with 2-heptenal content in soybean seed. These findings further our understanding of the genetic basis of 2-heptenal content in soybean seed and will improve efficiency of marker-assisted breeding.

Soil-test calibrations for sulfur (S) in cereals are poorly defined in south-eastern Australia. We conducted three proximal experiments into S response by wheat and barley, demonstrating no grain yield responses despite low soil-test values for S. Subsoil supplies of S, below common soil sampling depths, provided adequate S for grain yield.

Phosphorus (P) fertilisation is necessary to increase forage yield; however, levels of available P in soil ideally should optimise forage production while having minimum impact on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis. In this study, low to moderate P doses improved forage growth of a legume and two grasses in a P-deficient soil, and could improve AM colonisation in Lotus tenuis roots. Availability of P should be accurately determined in a range of soils to improve the forage production and to maintain AM symbiosis.

Knowledge of competitiveness of weeds in crops will provide valuable information for weed management. A study assessed the competitiveness and seed-production dynamics of windmill grass and feathertop Rhodes grass in mungbean crops, and showed that both the weeds were highly competitive and led to substantial reduction in crop yield. Abundant weed seed was produced at crop harvest; however, the high weed seed retention may help in managing these problematic weeds.