Screening of wheat cultivars resistant to septoria tritici blotch (STB) disease and determination of the efficacy of STB resistance genes is the most important strategy to control the disease. We identified some highly resistant cultivars and discovered that a few STB genes were effective against all isolates tested. These cultivars will be useful as donors of resistance in breeding programs.

The magnitude of margin effect reflects the density-tolerance of maize cultivars. Uniformity plays an important role in higher maize yield achievement especially under high planting density. The weakest marginal effects and greatest uniformity in border rows were closely related to higher grain yield.

Crop seed cleaning is an important component of reducing weed-seed contamination in crop grain. This article examines seed-cleaning operations and other factors affecting levels of weed contamination in farmer-saved crop seed, finding that seed cleaning significantly reduces the level of weed-seed contamination in grain samples. Seed cleaning combined with judicious paddock selection and weed-seed removal during the growing season can lead to weed-free crop seed.

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is one of the major causes of low chickpea productivity. This study concluded that Zn application, as seed priming and seed coating, is effective and economical for improving the productivity and grain quality, including Zn biofortification, of both desi and kabuli chickpea types.

No reports are available about the soybean stem differences under different shade methods (shading apical meristem and stem vs whole-plant shading). We investigated the pattern of internode elongation and diameter in detail as well as the effects of shading on internode length, endogenous hormone levels, and chloroplast ultrastructure in stem cortical cells. This study provides a new method for elucidating lodging resistance in soybean stems.

Alternaria japonica and A. brassicae cause severe Alternaria leaf spot on canola and mustard. We tested canola and mustard varieties under greenhouse conditions to identify the host resistance to Alternaria leaf spot and found high levels of resistance that can be directly deployed where A. japonica is important and utilised by breeders to improve resistance in future varieties. However, the high degree of susceptibility found across Australian varieties to A. brassicae highlighted a need to widen the search for suitable A. brassicae resistances and to develop cultural and chemical options.

Soil acidity is a serious problem reducing the production of crops and grazing animals, and although lime can reduce acidity, it is expensive because high rates are required. This research follows the effect of lime on the pasture composition of desirable legumes and perennial grasses. The higher legume content in the sward found in high lime–high phosphorus treatments at times throughout the experiment and at its completion compared with the nil-lime control indicated the value of lime application.