Crop and Pasture Science

Crop and Pasture Science is a highly cited and prestigious journal publishing original research on advances in plant sciences, sustainable farming systems, and food quality. Read more about the journalMore

Editors-in-Chief: Sergio Atienza and Zed Rengel

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Crop and Pasture Science has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 13 May 2024

CP23117Cropping calendar, agroclimatic and agroecological zoning for rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) under different rainfall scenarios in a semi-arid region of Brazil

Danilo Batista Nogueira, Alfredo Mendonça de Sousa, Alexsandro Oliveira da Silva

, Bruno Ricardo Silva Costa, Rafaela da Silva Arruda and Fernando Ferrari Putti

This study aimed to define the optimum cropping calendar and the agroclimatic and agroecological zones for rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) across Ceará state, situated within the Brazilian semi-arid region, assuming different rainfall scenarios: dry, regular, and rainy. The agroclimatic zoning was defined trough the crop water balance results. Our findings demonstrated that rainfed maize cultivated under the semi-arid climate of Ceará state is viable in rainy conditions, partially restricted in regular years, and not recommended in dry years.

Published online 13 May 2024

CP23125Evaluation of strategies to improve the quality of Tanzania grass (Megathyrsus maximum) silage with increasing levels of mata-pasto hay (Senna obtusifolia)

Rosane C. Rodrigues

, Bruno Eduardo Caxias Miranda, Edson Mauro Santos, Francisco Naysson de Sousa Santos

, Eduarda Castro Silva, Dilier Olivera-Viciedo, Anderson de Moura Zanine

, Raphael Ramos Silva, Antonio Marcos da Penha Santos, Izakiel Reis Marinho and Maciel Costa Teixeira

The seasonality between the rainy and dry seasons is a challenge for tropical agriculture. This study evaluated different forms of ensiling Tanzania grass (Megathyrsus maximum) and forest pasture hay (FPH) aiming to improve the conservation and nutritional value of silages. Results showed that the use of 30% FPH improved the fermentative processes and the nutritional value of the silages. This strategy can reduce the negative impacts of weeds on pastures, although further research is needed for complementary additives.

Published online 09 May 2024

CP23170Zinc interception and absorption in wheat spikes contribute significantly to grain zinc biofortification

Naiyue Hu, Zhiqiang Gao, Wanqing Zhang, Chenghang Du, Yinghua Zhang

, Zhigan Zhao and Zhimin Wang

Understanding of interception, absorption and translocation of exogenous Zn in wheat is important to the goal of improving biofortification efficacy; however, knowledge gaps exist with regard to absorption and translocation of exogenous Zn by wheat and the role of spikes in biofortification. Results show that spikes are critical in intercepting and absorbing exogenous Zn, and translocation of exogenous Zn is dependent on application stage. The outcomes improve our knowledge of how wheat plants intercept, absorb and translocate Zn.

Published online 01 May 2024

CP23324Developmental patterns of flowers and pods and the effect on seed number in French serradella (Ornithopus sativus) and yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus) cultivars

Laura E. Goward

, Rebecca E. Haling

, Rowan W. Smith

, Beth Penrose

and Richard J. Simpson

To ensure the continued existence of annual legume species in temperate regions, it is essential to understand the factors contributing to successful seed production; for instance, certain cultivars of French and yellow serradella occasionally flower at suboptimal times, potentially leading to reduced seed production. This study uncovered differences in how these cultivars produce flowers, pods and seeds. Some showed the ability to adapt to early flower loss, suggesting that selective breeding could improve seed yield resilience.

CP23324 Abstract | CP23324 Full Text | CP23324PDF (677 KB) | CP23324Supplementary Material (1.3 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 30 April 2024

CP23126Genomic prediction for targeted populations of environments in oat (Avena sativa)

Pablo Sandro, Madhav Bhatta, Alisha Bower, Sarah Carlson, Jean-Luc Jannink, David J. Waring

, Clay Birkett, Kevin Smith, Jochum Wiersma, Melanie Caffe, Jonathan Kleinjan, Michael S. McMullen, Lydia English and Lucia Gutierrez

Rankings of genotypic performance may change from one environment to the next, creating genotype × environment interaction (GEI), which can impact genomic prediction and complicate identification of superior genotypes. We compared strategies for predicting the performance of individuals in the presence of GEI. The results provide useful tools for the optimisation of training populations and testing environments for the prediction of individuals in the targeted populations of environments.

CP23126 Abstract | CP23126 Full Text | CP23126PDF (1.3 MB) | CP23126Supplementary Material (1 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 08 April 2024

CP23078Identification of superior genotypes for leaf architecture traits in Sorghum bicolor through GGE biplot analysis

Runfeng Wang

, Yingxing Zhao, Hailian Wang

, Erying Chen, Feifei Li, Shaoming Huang

, Ling Qin, Yanbing Yang, Yan’an Guan, Bin Liu and Huawen Zhang

Grain sorghum is a food source for people in semi-arid regions; however, its productivity is compromised by its inefficient leaf architecture. Aiming to improve sorghum productivity, the research focused on evaluation of leaf architectural traits and identification of ideotypes with outstanding leaf architecture. Through multi-environment trials, an ideal genotype was selected for best leaf architecture performance, which will be useful as the parental line to optimise sorghum leaf architecture in a breeding program.

Published online 04 April 2024

CP23199Genetic variation in growth, ionic accumulation and salt tolerance indices under long-term salt stress in halophytic Tunisian sea barley (Hordeum marinum ssp. marinum)

W. Saoudi

, W. Taamalli, M. Badri, O. Z. Talbi and C. Abdelly

Soil salinity adversely affects plant growth and causes considerable losses in cereal crops. In this study, genetic variation in salinity tolerance was evaluated in sea barley (Hordeum marinum ssp. marinum). Based on plant growth-related traits, mineral nutrition and salt stress indices, lines with high yield under stress and non-stress conditions, or showing a small yield loss under salinity constraints, were identified. These lines will be useful for future breeding programs towards salinity tolerance in cereal crops.

Published online 04 April 2024

CP23080Phenotypic characterisation and evaluation of resistance to Fusarium ear rot, fumonisin contamination and agronomic traits in a collection of maize landraces

Lorenzo Stagnati, Alessandra Lanubile

, Giovanna Soffritti, Paola Giorni, Graziano Rossi, Adriano Marocco and Matteo Busconi

Finding new genotypes resistant to Fusarium infection represents an important goal for the improvement of maize cultivation. In this regard, a collection of maize landraces deriving from Emilia-Romagna (Italy) region was studied. These landraces represent starting resources crucial for broadening the genetic bases of maize and introducing new resistant alleles useful in breeding programs targeting multiple pathogens and their associated mycotoxins.

Published online 29 March 2024

CP23275Soil zinc application decreases arsenic and increases zinc accumulation in grains of zinc-biofortified wheat cultivars

Ammara Basit

and Shahid Hussain

Wheat grown on soils contaminated by arsenic (As) may accumulate toxic levels of As in grains, allowing As to enter the human food chain. The study evaluated the effect of soil zinc (Zn) application on grain As and grain accumulation of Zn in two Zn-biofortified wheat cultivars grown on As-contaminated soil. Soil Zn application decreased grain As accumulation to below the permissible limit of 0.15 mg As kg⁻¹ and simultaneously increased grain Zn accumulation.

Published online 28 March 2024

CP23333Forage brassicas can enhance the feed base and mitigate feed gaps across diverse environments

Lucinda J. Watt

and Lindsay W. Bell

Long-term simulation modelling showed that autumn-sown forage brassicas can serve as a reliable and valuable forage source in drier environments across Australia’s crop–livestock zone. They have a long grazing window and stable production across a range of sowing dates and environments. Integrating forage brassicas into the existing feed base can reduce the frequency and magnitude of on-farm feed deficits in livestock production systems. They can also allow for a safe increase in stocking rates and reduce the need for supplementary feed.

CP23333 Abstract | CP23333 Full Text | CP23333PDF (2.9 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 14 March 2024

CP23120Elucidating genotype × environment interactions for grain iron and zinc content in a subset of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) recombinant inbred lines

Tripti Singhal

, C. Tara Satyavathi

, S. P. Singh

, Mukesh Sankar

, Mallik M.

, Thribhuvan R., Sunaina Yadav and C. Bharadwaj

Best pearl millet genotypes for recommendation to breeders, and use in breeding, are usually identified by evaluation in field trials in diverse environments. The main objective of this study was to assess genotypes based on mean performance across a multitude of environments. High iron and zinc lines with consistent performance across environments were identified and can be used in the development of biofortified hybrids.

Published online 12 March 2024

CP23343Development of high-amylose maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes adapted to Indian conditions through molecular breeding

Arushi Arora, Deepak Bhamare, Abhijit Kumar Das

, Shubhank Dixit, Sreya Venadan, Yathish K. R., Ramesh Kumar, Dharam Paul, J. C. Sekhar, Sunil Neelam, Sudip Nandi, M. C. Kamboj and Sujay Rakshit

Amylose is a type of resistant starch with numerous health benefits and industrial applications. Amylose content of normal maize starch is ~25%. We report the development of high-amylose maize (~50%) suited to Indian conditions through marker-assisted backcross breeding, using a high-amylose donor and high-yielding parental lines.

Published online 05 March 2024

CP23288Genetic variability of maize (Zea mays) germplasm from Iran: genotyping with a maize 600K SNP array and genome-wide scanning for selection signatures

Sorour Arzhang

, Reza Darvishzadeh

, Hadi Alipour

, Hamid Hatami Maleki

and Sara Dezhsetan

Genetic variability is crucial for improving crops and breeding programs. This study was focused on evaluating genetic diversity and differentiation of 93 maize lines in Iran, through use of advanced sequencing techniques. The findings provide valuable insights into the potential for future maize breeding programs, offering exciting possibilities for enhancing main traits and productivity.

Published online 01 March 2024

CP23135Multivariate assumptions and effect of model parameters in path analysis in oat crop

Jaqueline Sgarbossa

, Alessandro Dal’Cól Lúcio

, José Antonio Gonzalez da Silva

, Braulio Otomar Caron

, Maria Inês Diel

, Tiago Olivoto

, Claiton Nardini

, Odenis Alessi

and Darlei Michalski Lambrecht

Path analysis (PA) is a multivariate statistical technique, widely used, however, when carrying out PA, the parameters of the mathematical model referring to the experimental design and the effects of the study factors are not considered. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate these possible impacts on PA results. Removing parameters from the mathematical model promotes changes in the direction and magnitude of the path coefficients, regardless of the type of PA performed.

Published online 29 February 2024

CP23046Evaluating the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) wheat module for California

Nicholas Alexander George

, Helio de Jesus Pedro Cuamba, Mark E. Lundy and Sarita Jane Bennett

Globally, crop simulation models are important for increasing efficiency and broadening the scope of agricultural research and management. The APSIM crop model is widely used to simulate crop production but has not been widely tested for wheat systems in the western United States. In this study, we leverage existing state-wide field trials to evaluate the model and inform further research on model validation and calibration.

CP23046 Abstract | CP23046 Full Text | CP23046PDF (1.5 MB) Open Access Article