Global climate has been undergoing a consistent change characterised by an asymmetrical rising of minimum compared with maximum temperature resulting in warmer nights. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production is one of the most affected in terms of yield penalisation due to night temperature increases. However, warmer nights during early stages affect wheat development without yield reduction. Therefore, even though warmer nights can occur throughout the whole growing season, the higher yield reductions are associated with warmer nights during later stages of crop cycle.

Mapping QTLs for drought tolerant indices helps to improve drought tolerance in wheat and identify DNA markers linked to genomic regions for grain yield and its components. The results of our study suggested several DNA markers linked to QTLs involved in drought tolerance that will expedite programs for selection of superior varieties under drought conditions. Annotation of genes identified in the positions of the QTLs clarifies the nature of the genomic regions associated with the traits.

We evaluated the effects of stalk residue retention and fertiliser treatment on root growth and nutrient utilisation efficiency of cotton in an arid area. Stalk residue retention and the combined application of poultry manure and NPK fertiliser improved root morphology and physiological activity, increased soil nutrient content and nutrient use efficiency, and determined the nutrient absorption of roots. The results are useful for identifying optimal management practices that allow efficient, high-yield cotton production.

Salinity and drought are major abiotic stresses limiting plant growth and crop productivity. Both stresses caused similar reduction of seeds germination, impaired leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll pigments of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), while severer detrimental effects were induced by water stress in comparison to salt condition. Results from this study will be helpful for agronomists to take corresponding measures to cope with various stressful conditions.

Non-destructive methods for assessing aboveground biomass have progressed to include geo-referenced data. In this study, geostatistical methods were used to determine the spatial variability of sward height and pasture dry matter yield for drought-affected pasture before and after grazing by cattle. Incorporating this methodology into rapid, non-destructive pasture data collection devices would assist producers and their advisers in improving grazing management decisions.

For smooth bromegrass, information on genetic parameters and general combining ability for economic traits and persistence as well as the nature and amount of genotype × environment interaction is extremely rare. Considering the three parameters of stability of combining ability, mean performance and drought tolerance) simultaneously, some genotypes were identified as superior and stable with high values of GCA. This indicated that synthetic variety development from these genotypes will lead to both stability and plant productivity among progenies.

Management of the plants during the production cycle can affect the quality annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) seeds. Among main practices of plant management, defoliation has a significant impact on seed production. In the present work, we have verified that the defoliation interval based on a certain number of leaves is an important alternative in the management of annual ryegrass plants in order to obtain seeds with superior quality.