This study has highlighted the significance of investigating genetic diversity in Catharanthus roseus by exploring how genetic variations influence the evolution of trait like petal color and pattern. Understanding this genetic diversity is crucial for improving plant breeding, and conservation. The research addresses the challenge of identifying meaningful genetic markers that can distinguish among cultivars and help map their evolutionary relationships. This work contributes to the broader goal of advancing our understanding of plant evolution within the Apocynaceae family.

This article belongs to the collection: Plant breeding- and genetics-based tools for food security under changing climate.

Pesticides are essential for crop protection, but overuse can cause environmental damage such as soil degradation. Our study investigated which legume species could serve as effective ground cover in vineyards and citrus groves in the Cap Bon region of Tunisia, where dimethoate is commonly used. To do this, we looked at how dimethoate affects the growth of four legumes and how these plants respond to the pesticide stress, to find out which species could provide the most natural soil protection.

Pasture responses to lime vary with soil properties and composition, clouding assessments of the duration of benefit. This study presents a detailed and long-running evaluation of responses to lime and superphosphate in multiple permanent pasture environments. Effects on soil chemistry were still evident 12 years following lime application and generally proportional to the quantum of lime applied but this did not always lead to increased pasture biomass, highlighting the importance of pasture renovation for increasing the response to lime.

This article belongs to the collection: Australian Grasslands Symposium 2025 “Seeds of Change”.

Revised strategies are required to sustainably control blackleg disease of canola (Brassica napus) with earlier sowing and flowering times, and conservation of stubble. Stubble orientation did not affect blackleg disease severity, but crown canker severity was lower in early sown canola whilst upper canopy infection was more severe in early flowering canola. Persistence of large blackleg populations on retained stubble increases the likelihood of pathogen adaptation to genetic resistance and fungicides, the pillars of blackleg control in modern farming systems.

Optimising nitrogen use efficiency in cotton is critical for improving environmental sustainability. Modifying nitrogen fertiliser application date to align with crop demand improved fertiliser efficiency by 10%. The improvement in fertiliser efficiency, and, importantly, reduction in losses benefits the environment and producers, resulting in a more sustainable future for the industry.