Context. Well-organised leaf architecture produces compact canopies and allows for greater sunlight penetration, higher photosynthetic rates, and thus greater yields. Breeding for enhanced leaf architecture of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), a key food source in semi-arid regions, benefits its overall production.

Aims. The study focuses on selecting useful genotypes with excellent leaf architecture for grain sorghum improvement.

Methods. In total, 185 sorghum genotypes were subjected to multi-environment trials. Leaf flagging-point length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf angle and leaf orientation value (LOV) were characterised under field conditions. Genotype + genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis was used to identify the most stable genotypes with the highest LOV.

Key results. Statistical analysis showed significant effects of genotype × environment interaction (P < 0.001), and high broad-sense heritability for the traits. Correlation analysis demonstrated negative correlations (P < 0.001) between LOV and its components. Singular value decomposition of LOVs in the first two principal components explained 89.19% of the total variation. GGE biplot analysis identified G55 as the ideotype with the highest and most stable LOV.

Conclusions. Leaf architecture optimisation should be given greater attention. This study has identified a genotype with optimal and stable leaf architecture, laying the foundation for improvement in breeding to increase overall yields of sorghum.

Implications. Genotype G55 can be utilised as a parent with other parents that display economically important characteristics in breeding programs to produce offspring that can be planted densely to increase population yields. Genotypes identified with loose leaf architecture are useful in dissecting genes controlling leaf architecture by crossing with G55 to construct genetic mapping populations.

Context. Maize is a major crop in Italy and is constantly affected by the fungus Fusarium verticillioides, producing ear rot and grain contamination by fumonisins. Finding new genotypes resistant to Fusarium infection is an important goal for the improvement of maize cultivation.

Aims. The objective of this work was to test a collection of 33 traditional landraces from the Emilia-Romagna (Italy) region for Fusarium ear rot (FER) severity, fumonisin content, and their agronomic performance.

Methods. Primary ears were artificially inoculated with a toxigenic strain of F. verticillioides in a 2-year experimental trial. The landrace ‘Nostrano di Storo’ and a commercial hybrid of FAO maturity class 300 were also included and used as comparisons representing a well-known and highly valued landrace and a modern flint hybrid, respectively.

Key results. The collection showed great phenotypic variability for all the agronomic traits assessed and responded differently to the Fusarium infection with percentages of FER ranging from 6.6% to 49.3%, and fumonisins from 4.3 mg/kg to 34.5 mg/kg. Thirteen and six landraces displayed FER percentages and fumonisin content very similar to the hybrid, respectively. Moreover, eight landraces exhibited grain yield values comparable to the hybrid. Interestingly, Va221, Va227 and EMR03 showed the best combination among these three traits.

Conclusions. This local material can be considered suitable for breeding purposes targeting the development of FER and fumonisin resistant germplasm.

Implications. The collection may represent a resource for future research aimed at evaluating the response to multiple pathogens and their associated mycotoxins.

Context. Identification of salt-tolerant genetic resources is of high importance due to the constant increase in salt-affected areas.

Aims. This study was conducted to assess genetic variation in salt response among and within Tunisian sea barley populations and to identify useful genotypes for future breeding programmes directed towards improving salinity tolerance.

Methods. The salinity response of 141 lines from 10 natural populations of Hordeum marinum ssp. marinum was characterised at a morphophysiological level, following exposure to 200 mM sodium chloride for 90 days.

Key results. ANOVA revealed significant differences in growth and ion accumulation between and within populations in response to salinity. The Sebkhet Ferjouna population was less affected than Sidi Othman and Tabarka; however, it accumulated relatively higher sodium and lower potassium and potassium/sodium ratio. Stress Tolerance Index (STI) and Salt Tolerance (ST) values varied significantly among populations and lines. STI was positively correlated with potassium and negatively correlated with sodium content in roots and leaves, whereas no evidence of a relationship between both cations and ST was observed.

Conclusions. SO7, SO28, LB5, LB25, TB1, MT3 and BK12 with high values of STI were identified as high yielding lines in control and salt stress conditions, whereas MT3, BK12, MT17, BF10, SL8, SL16 and SF32, with the highest values of ST, were characterised by a small yield loss and low sensitivity when exposed to salinity.

Implications. These lines constitute a genetic resource with desirable adaptation characteristics for breeding programmes towards salinity tolerance in cultivated cereals.

Context. Arsenic (As) is a noxious metalloid for plants, animals and humans. Elevated levels of As in soils may cause it to accumulate to above-permissible levels in wheat grains, posing a threat to human health. Moreover, vulnerable population groups in developing countries have inadequate dietary zinc (Zn) linked to cereal-based diets.

Aims. The present study evaluated the effect of soil Zn application on accumulation of As and Zn in grains of two Zn-biofortified wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars (Akbar-2019 and Zincol-2016).

Methods. Wheat plants were grown on an alkaline calcareous soil spiked with three levels of As (0, 5 and 25 mg kg⁻¹). Before sowing, two rates of Zn (0 and 8 mg kg⁻¹) were also applied to the soil.

Key results. Arsenic spiking in soil decreased plant dry matter yield, chlorophyll pigments, and phosphorus (P) and Zn accumulation, and increased As accumulation in wheat. By contrast, soil Zn application enhanced crop yield and increased P and Zn accumulation, with a simultaneous decrease in As accumulation in both cultivars. Compared with the Zn control, soil Zn application decreased grain As concentration by 26%, 30% and 32% for plants grown in soil spiked with 0, 5 and 25 mg As kg⁻¹, respectively.

Conclusions. Applying Zn to As-spiked soil mitigates the harmful effects of As by increasing Zn and decreasing As concentrations in wheat, resulting in improved grain quality for human consumption.

Implications. Zinc application to crop plants should be recommended for addressing the health implications associated with As-contaminated crops and human Zn deficiency.

Context. Spring-sown forage brassicas are commonly used to fill feed gaps in high-rainfall temperate livestock systems, but they have wider potential as an autumn-sown forage in drier environments within Australia’s crop–livestock zone.

Aims. We modelled the production potential of autumn-sown forage brassicas grown in diverse environments and tested their ability to alter the frequency and magnitude of feed gaps.

Methods. Long-term production potential was simulated in APSIM for four forage brassica genotypes, compared with forage wheat and dual-purpose canola across 22 diverse agro-climatic locations. For seven regions, the change in frequency and magnitude of forage deficits from adding forage brassicas to representative forage–livestock systems was predicted.

Key results. Across locations, median yields of forage brassicas ranged from 7 to 19 t DM/ha, and their annual metabolisable-energy yield was higher than that of forage wheat at most sites and nearly always exceeded dual-purpose canola. Forage brassicas performed better than forage wheat in later-sowing events (late April to early May) and maintained growth and quality later into spring. At five of the seven regions, adding 15% of farm forage area to forage brassicas reduced the frequency and magnitude of feed deficits by 35–50% and 20–40%, respectively. However, they were less beneficial where winter–spring feed gaps are uncommon.

Conclusions. We demonstrated that autumn-sown forage brassicas can be reliable and productive contributors to the feed base in drier environments and are a suitable alternative to forage cereals.

Implications. Forage brassicas can help reduce feed gaps and improve livestock production in a range of production systems spanning Australia’s crop–livestock zone.