Image processing systems ensure high-resolution, high-throughput and precise analysis of seeds, which can be used to discover diversity and compare developmental phases, and distinguish genotypes. We classified cultivars and landraces of Iranian wheat based on morpho-colorimetric traits under rainfed and well-watered conditions. Our findings permit the formation of a morpho-colorimetric seed database of Iranian wheat landraces and cultivars for conservation, characterisation, and prediction of yield in wheat germplasm under both environmental conditions.

Foliar fertilisation near anthesis was an effective strategy to correct grain protein content and meet malting requirements. This was possible because this strategy did not decrease the remobilisation of pre-assimilated nitrogen, and was useful under the different nutrient availabilities explored here. In addition, our results showed that the contribution of phloem nitrogen was of great importance in determining grain protein content.

We compared the photosynthetic performance in seedlings of the ornamental grass Hordeum jubatum under salt, alkali and drought conditions by measuring the transient fluorescence of chlorophyll a at uniform levels of low water potential. Results showed that all three stressors inhibited photosynthetic electron transport and apparatus of H. jubatum seedlings, with the most serious effects under alkali stress. These finding will be useful when deciding on cultivation of this grass in adverse environments.

With widespread use of transgenic soybeans, it is important to assess the nutritional value of their seeds. We verified that GmWRI1a and Bar were stably inherited in GmWRI1a-overexpressing lines and then compared the nutritional composition of transgenic and wild-type soybean. Contents of nutritional and anti-nutritional components of GmWRI1a-overexpressing lines were substantially equivalent to the wild-type, and the nutritional composition safety was the same.

Faba bean is an important species for crop production in cool, arid environments. This review examines the quantitative responses of plant physiological processes to temperature and soil-water deficit. These responses have been used in simulation analysis in geospatial assessments to examine management options for improving yield of faba bean.

Tropical grasses are used as forage for ruminants and for biofuel production from biomass. Stem elongation improves light distribution in the canopy and photosynthetic rates of tropical grasses. Nevertheless, stem has lower nutritive value than leaves, and frequently animals are not able to harvest it. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between stem elongation and biomass production of tropical grasses. Our results may help improve animal protein and biofuel production from tropical grasses.

Red clover is an important legume forage and green manure crop in temperate agricultural zones and has been considered an outcrossing species, although its outcrossing rate under open-pollination conditions is not certain. In this study, the outcrossing rate of diploid red clover in a natural environment was calculated for the first time, using microsatellite molecular markers. These results are valuable for future studies involving breeding research in red clover.

Modern rising plate meters are simple tools for measuring forage provision or sward structure, a driver of phytodiversity, which is a paramount ecosystem service of grassland agro-ecosystems. This study demonstrates the utility of modern rising plate meters for spatial mapping of grass sward patches and provides evidence that consideration of the spatial distribution of patches is necessary for assessment of phytodiversity. Therefore, rising plate meters can assist both agronomic and conservation goals in grassland.