We used SUFI-2 for the first time to calibrate the phenology module of the APSIM-wheat model for 10 spring wheat cultivars cultivated in northeast Australia (south-eastern Queensland). Calibration resulted in an average root mean square error (RMSE) of 5.5 days for developmental stages from stem elongation up to flowering. Projections from 33 climate models under the representative concentration pathway

Crop avoidance and tolerance strategies are critical adaptive mechanisms of drought stress and play different roles in grain yield. However, little is known about the contribution of these two mechanisms to grain yield in old and modern wheat genotypes. Here, pot and field experiments were carried out to characterize and compare the mechanisms of drought avoidance and drought tolerance, and determine

This work focuses on the investigation of forage crops hybrid fescue and legume alfalfa response to drought at different levels of nitrogen fertilization. Plants were grown in pots filled with a mixture of field soil, perlite and fine sand with three (N0, N60 and N90 kg/ha) levels of nitrogen fertilization in a greenhouse. Drought stress was applied by withholding watering for 1 week, after which plants

Film antitranspirants (e.g. di-1-p-menthene) and metabolic antitranspirants (e.g. exogenous ABA) can be used to protect grain crops from drought, particularly during reproductive development. Here, we compared effects of di-1-p-menthene (1.0 L/ha) and exogenous ABA (100 ÂµM) on well-watered and droughted spring wheat in two glasshouse experiments. Progressive drought was imposed in the first experiment

Agriculture accounts for 70% of the global use of available freshwater. Projections show that demand for water will increase significantly due to climate change, population growth and development of agricultural enterprises globally. There is a need to develop water-use efficient crop cultivars for sustainable agricultural production. Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] is a powerhouse crop in drier

Climate change is adversely affecting wheat yields as the associated rising temperatures damage its reproductive physiology. Heat stress affects wheat at various stages of growth, but flowering and reproductive phases are the most sensitive to high temperatures as flower opening usually occurs in cooler environments. Heat stress at meiosis causes ovule and pollen sterility along with anther dehiscence

Methodologies for imposing stress and reproducible results are a bottleneck for breeding programmes, and this is due to the lack of consensus between the existing methodologies. The aim of the present study was to propose and validate a new methodology for imposing water deficit in soybean that allows the identification of water deficit-tolerant genotypes, at different harvest times and phenological

Verticillium dahliae is a soil-borne, phytopathogenic fungus that causes Verticillium wilt in cotton. Salt tolerance of cotton plants suffering from Verticillium wilt was significantly improved, but the mechanism is unknown. In this study, we built a symbiont named Cotton≡VD by immersing cotton plant roots into Verticillium dahliae liquid for four days. This resulted in a strong interaction between

High temperature stress during the reproductive growth stage of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can cause extensive yield losses. As the plant hormone auxin is a key regulator of reproductive development, we studied the effect of auxins on grain yield in five wheat lines exposed to moderate heat stress (34–35°C) for 6 h per day for 6 days during early flowering (booting stage to anthesis). ‘CDC Go’, a

Maturity is not only critical for vigour and other seed quality characteristics but also impacts the subsequent plant performance. If these impacts on the subsequent plant are long lasting, the potential to produce vigorous, mature seed may also be affected. This scenario lends itself to the concept of seed maturity memory (SMM) – an understanding of how seed maturity may impact subsequent generations

Recent research has shown that the native shrub, Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel, interplanted with crops dramatically increases crop yield in the Sahel. However, little is known about the crop development when grown alongside shrubs. The objectives were to determine the effect of shrub presence on crop development under varying fertilizer rates in northern Senegal. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and pearl

Rain-out shelters provide an effective tool to establish controlled water-stress environments by excluding undesired rain events and have been widely used in the selection and breeding of cool-season turfgrass for improved drought tolerance. However, the efficiency of recurrent selection using rain-out shelters has seldomly been investigated. In this study, we documented the selection process of tall

In wheat and barley, grain yield is strongly affected by waterlogging, especially during the period immediately previous to anthesis. Although waterlogging reduces grain yield mainly by reductions in grain number, mean grain weight (MGW) is also frequently reduced. The aim of this work was to determine whether increases in the source-sink ratio produces smaller reductions in MGW due to waterlogging

Drought stress restricts sugar beet growth and yield formation. For the development of adapted varieties, reasons for high water demand in certain growth periods and for genotypic differences in water use efficiency (WUE) were investigated. In 2019 and 2020, different drought stress periods were simulated in pot trials in the greenhouse with four sugar beet genotypes by reducing the water supply to

Light-dependent (250 or 500 µmol/m2/s, red/far-red: 15/1; 250 µmol/m2/s and red/far-red: 10/1) adjustment of glutathione metabolism during cold acclimation (5°C, 7 d) was compared in four wheat genotypes (14-day-old) differing in freezing tolerance. Only the shoot fresh weight of the two tolerant genotypes increased during cold, regardless of light conditions. Their electrolyte leakage was decreased

Sweetpotato is a crucial crop to guarantee food security in sub-Saharan Africa, and drought events are considered one of the most critical factors affecting sweetpotato productivity in this region. In this study, airborne imagery based on reflectance (NDVI, CIred-edge) and canopy temperature minus air temperature (dT) indices was used to characterize sweetpotato genotypes under drought treatments in

Lentil (Lens culinaris, Medik.), an accessible low-cost high-quality protein form for many people, is a salt-sensitive legume, which already at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 3 dS/m (~30 mM NaCl) has a yield loss of about 90% compared to other crops. Identifying salinity-tolerant lentil germplasm is nowadays of primary importance for ensuring the production of superfood and the sustainability of

While improved crop water-deficit tolerance is considered of primary importance, many phenotyping efforts focusing on quantifying structural root traits make assumptions about architecture representing root function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify whole plant water-use traits among disparate peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes and determine their impact on water-deficit tolerance

In the Loess Plateau region of China, winter wheat often undergoes prolonged cloudy days without rain which may affect the grain yield and quality. This study examined the impacts of shading and drought conditions during the grain-filling period of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on photosynthesis, grain yield and quality traits in a greenhouse experiment. The imposed shading and irrigation-deficit

This work assessed the responses of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) genotypes experienced to different durations of terminal drought for relative water content (RWC), SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR), stomatal conductance (SC), leaf area (LA) and specific leaf area (SLA), investigated the significant contributor of physiological traits to yield and yield reduction and diversity of physiological traits

One of the main objectives of soybean breeding programs is the search for genotypes that are both high yielding and tolerant to abiotic stresses. Brazilian Cerrado, the main grain-producing region in the country, is characterised by naturally acidic and low fertility soils that consequently have low base saturation. Therefore, identifying genotypes with good performance for favourable and low base

Implementation of water-saving irrigation practices in lowland rice results in increased availability of nitrate (NO3−) in the soil and favours germination of upland weeds. Since plant species show a specific preference for either ammonium (NH4+) or NO3− as nitrogen (N) source, changes in both soil NO3− concentration and weed flora may affect the competition between rice and weeds. Further, the transpirational

Several new bermudagrass cultivars are available and commonly used on golf course fairways. However, little is known about their cultural requirements or how these cultivars perform under lower inputs regimes. A 2-year study was conducted at University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, to assess performance of four hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon L. Pers. X Cynodon transvaalensis

Chilling stress is one of the most important factors limiting soybean yield in the temperate climate. It significantly constraints the spatial distribution and agricultural productivity of plants, thereby affecting their growth and development. In this study, to determine the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes in the chilling resistance of four soybean cultivars (Augusta, Fiskeby

Tree strips on agricultural production sites offer many economic, ecological and social advantages. However, the introduction of trees creates a transition zone between tree strips and crop land. Here, trees and crop plants compete for resources such as space, nutrients, water and light, which causes stress in the low-competitive system. On the other hand, facilitation such as additional nutrient input

Cereal–legume intercropping is promoted within semi-arid regions as an adaptation strategy to water scarcity and drought for low-input systems. Our objectives were firstly to evaluate the crop model APSIM for pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.))—cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) intercropping—and secondly to investigate the hypothesis that intercropping provides complimentary yield under drought

Due to climate change, multiple heat events are expected to be an additional limiting factor that will adversely affect wheat production. The study aimed to analyze the physiological response to heat stress in four winter wheat cultivars at different physiological stages under greenhouse conditions during 2019. The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll index, maximum quantum efficiency

Late-season rice, a major contributor to the production of high-quality rice in China, often experiences low temperatures during the flowering period. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of low temperature stress on grain quality and to identify related physiological factors in late-season rice. Sink and source characteristics and grain quality traits of two high-quality late-season

Lodging is an important factor that restricts the yield of rapeseed and the mechanical harvesting. To explore agricultural practise and mechanisms that can synergistically improve the rapeseed yield and lodging resistance, a conventional plant type HZ 62 was selected in 2016–2017, and HZ 62 and an erect-leaf type 1,301 were grown in 2017–2018. The planting density was set as main plots at 15 × 104

Intensity and frequency of heat waves (HW) accompanied by drought are increasing, however, still little is known about its effect on forage plants. A pot experiment was carried out in growth chambers in order to elucidate the multiple response of forage rape to combined HW and drought (HD) under current and elevated CO2 (HD + CO2). Forage rape was proved to be relatively HD-resistant plant, with no

In previous investigations of several maize cultivars, an improvement of the harvest index was obtained by paclobutrazol (PAC) application combined with an increase in water-use efficiency. However, so far nutrient-utilization efficiencies could not be enhanced when control and PAC-treated maize plants received the same amount of fertilizers. With adjusted fertilizer supply according to the lower requirement

It is important to explore and propose a potential source for further improvements in drought tolerance in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The present study aimed to evaluate the significance of ear as a post-anthesis carbon source under drought conditions in wheat genotypes with different sink–source balances. Field trials were conducted in 2017 and 2018 for four spring wheat genotypes (T. aestivum

Despite global warming, chilling injury during the reproductive stage is still a severe climate stress in temperate rice production systems. Much work has been done on stress avoidance by altering sowing dates and cultivar maturation, but stress tolerance has received less attention. The lack of data to inform existing genetic differences in chilling tolerance impedes model-based investigations exploring

Climate change has resulted in a continuous increase in the frequency and intensity of chilling events in cold regions. In Northeast China, chilling at the booting and flowering stages negatively affects japonica rice grain yield. In this field experiment study, we conducted a 2-year temperature-controlled experiment to investigate the effects of chilling temperature and duration applied at the booting

Cover crops are important components of sustainable agricultural systems under no-till conditions. However, in the Brazilian Cerrado region, plant growth and straw production on the soil surface have been hampered by insufficient soil water availability during off-season. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of silicon fertilization on the morphological and physiological characteristics

Plants modify their carbon allocation as a response to low water availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate, using a 14CO2 pulse-chase analysis, the effect of moisture restriction on biomass production in common bean plants var. OTI. The plants were maintained with irrigation until the beginning of pods filling; then, three groups were formed, kept at 100%, 75% or 50% field capacity

Lateral roots and root hairs are essential portions of cotton roots. However, the morphology and lifespan of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lateral roots and root hairs in response to nitrogen stress have remained unknown. Two cotton cultivars were assessed when no nitrogen and normal nitrogen (138 mg N·kg−1 soil) were added. The daily acquisitions of root phenotype information including the lateral

Cotton is often exposed to high temperatures during the reproductive stage, which can negatively affect its productivity. The objectives were to: i) test whether heat stress impacts during the reproductive stage on photosynthesis are due to instant temperature effects or to acclimation produced during the heat stress period, ii) evaluate the role of stomatal and mesophyll conductance on net photosynthetic

Under warmer and drier future conditions, global livestock and dairy production are threatened by impacts on the productivity and nutritional quality of pastures. However, morphological and nutritional adjustments within plants in response to warming and drought vary among species and less is known how these relate to production and forage quality. To investigate this, we grew two common pasture species

Winter survival is a major yield-limiting factor in winter barley grown in the Upper Midwest, where winter temperatures regularly reach −20°C or lower. Here, we tested the hypothesis that improved freezing survival is associated with smaller xylem vessel diameters as a mechanism that minimizes physical damage arising from intracellular ice formation, using leaf vasculature as a proxy trait. A second

The current practice of direct seeding in East-African high-altitude rice farming systems is constrained by water availability early in the season and low temperatures later in the season at the crop's critical reproductive stage. Thus, productivity is restricted as only short-duration varieties can be grown due to the risk of crop failure. To fully exploit the yield potential of such rainfed systems

In Brazil, grain sorghum has been mainly grown in Cerrado biome during the off-season, as a succession crop, after the soybean harvest. At this period, rainfall is erratic and insufficient, causing drought stress in pre- or post-flowering of grain sorghum crops. In this scenario, the identification of both drought-tolerant and irrigation responsive hybrids has been one of the main targets of sorghum

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) or Canola is an important oilseed crop produced and consumed globally. The predicted increase in the frequency of high-temperature events associated with climate change poses a threat to Canola productivity. In the present work, we report the impact of short-term heat stress on the reproductive fitness and yield components of Canola. Short heat stress episodes, especially

Roots play an important role in the response to nitrogen stress in cotton. To better understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying the adaptation of cotton roots to nitrogen stress, the responses of genes in roots to nitrogen changes were analysed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and morphological and physiological indicators were measured for verification. This study revealed that lack

Expansion into areas outside their centres of origin requires knowledge of quinoa's physiology and its response to the environment concerning the determination of seed yield and its numerical components to facilitate crop management and breeding. The objectives of the current work were to analyse the determination of seed weight (SW) of different quinoa genotypes adapted to temperate climates (Sea-level

Plants experiencing abiotic stress can produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately impacting the crop growth and yield. Hydrogen peroxide H2O2 is a relatively stable active ROS and is mainly scavenged by catalase. In this study, the catalase-encoding E. coli KatE gene was transferred to cotton plants by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. From almost 100 independent transgenic lines

With a warming climate, heat events occur more frequently especially during flowering of many crops which increasingly threatens food security. The maximum temperature thresholds (TTmax) for different flowering processes and kernel formation, however, are not explicit in maize (Zea mays L.). For this, a temperature-controlled experiment was conducted including two maize hybrids ZD958 and XY335 that

There has been little research on crop lodging and yield determination in response to varying degrees of heat stress in canola. This research aimed to examine root morphology, pod fertility, seed yield and crop lodging of two canola genotypes subjected to normal temperature (23/17°C, light/dark, as CK), and three elevated temperature regimes imposed at flowering for a short term (10 days), namely CK+2

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is highly sensitive to chilling temperatures (<15°C soil temperatures) during germination and early seedling establishment. Hence, the main objectives of this research were to (a) validate the potential level of chilling tolerance in selected sorghum genotypes, (b) determine effective concentrations of selected safeners for improving chilling tolerance and (c)

Alleviating the negative effects of low temperature at the booting stage on wheat grain number and yield is important for maintaining high and stable wheat yields. In this study, we selected wheat varieties with different levels of cold resistance, simulated low temperature at the booting stage and exogenously applied trehalose to study its effect on wheat floret development under low-temperature stress

Effect of atmospheric CO2 enrichment on crop water relations was evaluated in an open-top chamber experiment on kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.; Pusa 1,105). Increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration (e[CO2], 580 ± 20 μmol/mol) resulted in 21%–46% increase in leaf water potential, and 7%–11% in relative leaf water content, indicating higher water content in leaves, compared to the ambient level

Effects of soil compaction stress were investigated in maize hybrids subjected to low (L-1.10), medium (M-1.30) and high (H-1.60 g/cm3) soil compaction. The hybrids selected for the study differed in their susceptibility to growth under soil compaction stress conditions. We used appropriate methods of non-destructive cleaning and analysis of all intact compartments of the root system. Petrolatum–wax

One of the strategies for overcoming global climate change threatening to decrease maize yield is early sowing. To contribute to the development of cold-tolerant hybrids this research focused on the genetic background's comparative analysis in maize inbreds with good combining ability. Leaf whole-transcriptome sequencing of 46 maize genotypes revealed 77 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between

Soil moisture stress has become a serious environmental limitation to crop productivity and quality. The root system is the first organ sensing the changes in soil moisture; therefore, root development under water deficit is an important indicator for plant's drought tolerance. Previous studies focused on quinoa varietal differences in morphological traits under water stress; however, variation in

Cotton yield is affected by drought stress. We performed widely targeted metabolomics to explore metabolic changes under drought stress in the roots and leaves of two cotton varieties differing in drought tolerance—XLZ8 as sensitive and G95079 as tolerant variety. A total of 537 metabolites were detected at different stages of drought stress. Abscisic acid (ABA) was significantly enriched in all

Drought, a major environmental constraint, has increasing impact on agricultural production. Genetic improvement for maintaining crop productivity in such adverse conditions is a critical challenge for breeders. Barley exhibits a remarkable genetic diversity associated with a widespread geographical distribution in contrasted climates. This diversity, which resides in regional landraces and wild accessions

Soybean production can be affected by heat (HS) and water stress (WS). However, studies on effects of stresses combination under field conditions are still scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of HS, WS and their interaction (HS × WS) during seed filling on seed weight, seed growth rate (SGR) and seed filling duration (SFD) of same phenological age pods from different canopy

Drought is one of the most serious constraints to rice cultivation, even under alternate wetting and drying (AWD), which is a water-saving management practice. In rice, enhanced root development is essential for stable shoot growth, adaptability and productivity under water deficit environments. We identified and characterized outstanding rooting1 (our1) rice mutant using hydroponics. The present study

Increasing fresh water scarcity is a major constraint for rice (Oryza sativa) productivity under future climatic conditions. It is important to understand why rice cannot perform like other dryland cereals, when grown under drier soil conditions. The responses of plant growth, plant water status, leaf and stem anatomical attributes to soil water deficit were examined at two developmental stages of

The combination of poorly drained soils and high rainfall can cause transient waterlogging and reduce yield of lentil. We screened 111 lentil lines for response to waterlogging in 2019 and 2020 using a pot assay outdoors. At 484 °Cd after emergence (38 d) in 2019 and 452 °Cd after emergence (42 d) in 2020, plants were waterlogged for 184 °Cd (11 d, 2019) and 167 °Cd (14 d, 2020) and allowed to recover