Article
Plant Sciences
Pieter-Willem Hendriks, Peter R. Ryan, Philip Hands, Vivien Rolland, Saliya Gurusinghe, Leslie A. Weston, Greg J. Rebetzke, Emmanuel Delhaize
Summary: The selection for early shoot vigour in wheat is associated with increased root hair length and changes to cell size in roots and shoots. Six cycles of recurrent selection for early shoot vigour in wheat resulted in significant increases in leaf width and shoot biomass. Increased shoot vigour was associated with greater root biomass, larger rhizosheath size, and longer root hairs.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Saliya Gurusinghe, K. M. Shamsul Haque, Paul A. Weston, William B. Brown, Leslie A. Weston
Summary: The use of competitive crops in successional rotations has been shown to reduce the growth and establishment of annual weeds by depleting the weed seedbank. Rotational treatments, such as dual-purpose cereals or a canola break-crop along with cereals, were effective in suppressing weed propagule numbers. Rotational selection is an important and cost-effective tool in integrated weed management systems when applied over multiple growing seasons.
Article
Plant Sciences
James M. Mwendwa, William B. Brown, Paul A. Weston, Leslie A. Weston
Summary: Different barley cultivars show varying abilities to suppress weed growth, with cultivars exhibiting enhanced early vigour and PAR light interception generally proving more weed suppressive under optimal soil moisture conditions.
Article
Plant Sciences
K. M. Shamsul Haque, Julia A. Howitt, Mike Dyall-Smith, Leslie A. Weston, Philip L. Eberbach
Summary: High concentrations of manganese (Mn2+) in soil after wetland rice production can lead to toxicity in subsequent legume crops. A controlled environment experiment using hydroponics showed that increasing Mn2+ concentrations negatively impacted germination and growth of field pea, faba bean, and mung bean. Field pea and faba bean were more sensitive to Mn2+ compared to mung bean. These findings highlight the importance of considering soil Mn2+ levels when developing cropping strategies after flooded rice.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nisansala N. Perera, Paul A. Weston, Russell A. Barrow, Leslie A. Weston, Geoff M. Gurr
Summary: Volatile cues play a significant role in the location and discrimination of food resources by insects. This study investigated the behavioral responses and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the dung beetle Bubas bison to different types of animal dung. The results showed that horse dung attracted B. bison more strongly than cattle dung, and the diet of the horses also influenced their preference. Furthermore, the abundance and composition of VOCs varied with dung type and livestock diet.
Article
Agronomy
Ayesha Siddiqua, Muhammad Ashad Kabir, Tanzina Ferdous, Israt Bintea Ali, Leslie A. Weston
Summary: This study aims to evaluate plant disease detection mobile apps, identifying 17 relevant apps out of 606 from prominent app stores. The existing apps perform well in software quality but lack high ratings in AI-based advanced functionality. Only one app serves as a complete solution for plant disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment, leading to proposed design considerations for future improvements.
Article
Plant Sciences
M. Iftikhar Hussain, Fabrizio Araniti, Margot Schulz, Scott Baerson, Yedra Vieites-Alvarez, Leonidas Rempelos, Paul Bilsborrow, Nuria Chinchilla, Francisco A. Macias, Leslie A. Weston, Manuel J. Reigosa, Adela M. Sanchez-Moreiras
Summary: The allelopathic activity of wheat through the production of BXZ compounds can affect the germination, growth, and physiological traits of surrounding plants and weeds. Wheat allelopathy can be potentially utilized through methods such as intercropping, mulching, incorporating crop residues, and applying wheat extracts. Some agricultural pests, fungal pathogens, and weeds have varying tolerance levels towards BXZ compounds. Selecting and breeding wheat genotypes with enhanced BXZ content can improve their defensive abilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jessica Wyse, Sajid Latif, Saliya Gurusinghe, Jeffrey McCormick, Leslie A. Weston, Cyril P. Stephen
Summary: Phytoestrogens are secondary plant metabolites that have various effects on livestock, including reproduction, metabolism, immunological functions, and growth and performance. Understanding the potential health and reproductive effects of grazing phytoestrogenic pastures is important in mitigating risks and improving livestock management. Legume species commonly used for grazing livestock in Australia have been found to produce high concentrations of phytoestrogens. These compounds, especially isoflavones and coumestans, can affect reproductive functions at certain concentrations. Recent research has also shown potential benefits of phytoestrogens on metabolism, immune capacity, and growth and performance of grazing livestock.
Correction
Plant Sciences
M. Iftikhar Hussain, Fabrizio Araniti, Margot Schulz, Scott Baerson, Vieites-Alvarez Yedra, Leonidas Rempelos, Paul Bilsborrow, Alexandra Garcia Duran, Nuria Chinchilla Salcedo, Francisco A. Macias, Leslie A. Weston, Manuel J. Reigosa, Adela M. Sanchez-Moreiras
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Long Ma, Nirodha Weeraratne, Saliya Gurusinghe, Jesmin Aktar, K. M. Shamsul Haque, Philip Eberbach, Geoff G. Gurr, Leslie A. Weston
Summary: The introduction of exotic dung beetles in southern Australia has reduced the amount of livestock dung on the soil surface, but its impact on pasture quality and soil nutrient mobility has not been studied in the Riverina region of New South Wales. This study evaluated the effects of a common introduced dung beetle (Bubas bison) on water quality and soil microbiome using lysimetry and DNA assessment. The results showed that dung beetles and soil type influenced pasture performance and microbial communities, although water quality seemed unaffected.
Article
Agronomy
John C. C. Broster, Allison J. J. Chambers, Leslie A. A. Weston, Michael J. J. Walsh
Summary: The study examined the relationships between weed and crop species in Australian farming systems through surveys of randomly selected fields. It found that annual ryegrass, wild oats, and sowthistle were the most common weed species in NSW cropping fields, with varying distribution patterns between regions. Changes in weed species occurrence were attributed to alterations in crop production practices.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shilai Zhang, Guangfu Huang, Yujiao Zhang, Xiutao Lv, Kejiang Wan, Jian Liang, Yupeng Feng, Jinrong Dao, Shukang Wu, Lin Zhang, Xu Yang, Xiaoping Lian, Liyu Huang, Lin Shao, Jing Zhang, Shiwen Qin, Dayun Tao, Timothy E. Crews, Erik J. Sacks, Jun Lyu, Len J. Wade, Fengyi Hu
Summary: The successful breeding and cultivation of perennial rice provides an opportunity for sustainable development, increasing crop productivity, farmer livelihoods, and soil health while reducing resource use. Planting perennial rice not only improves crop yields but also accumulates organic carbon and nitrogen in the soil, thus improving soil quality. Farmers prefer cultivating perennial rice as it saves labor and input costs.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Jeffrey D. D. Weidenhamer, Don Cipollini, Kathryn Morris, Saliya Gurusinghe, Leslie A. A. Weston
Summary: Progress in understanding allelopathic interactions among plants has been limited by the complexity of direct and indirect interactions, as well as the influence of various factors such as resource limitations, pathogens, and herbivores. Recent advancements in technology and analytical techniques have allowed researchers to study the biosynthesis of allelochemicals and plant responses in more detail. This review highlights the importance of applying these new approaches in ecologically rigorous ways to enhance our understanding of allelopathic interactions.
Review
Agronomy
Thomas Nordblom, Saliya Gurusinghe, Andrew Erbacher, Leslie A. Weston
Summary: Southern Australian farming systems face limitations in choosing cover crops suitable for various purposes due to Mediterranean climatic conditions. Recent studies have shown the potential benefits of cover crop inclusion in viticulture and pasture systems with lower moisture stress. However, the delivery of cover crop benefits is greatly influenced by soil type and regional climatic conditions. Therefore, longer-term field evaluations and investigations of termination options under varying environmental and soil conditions are needed.
Article
Entomology
Nisansala N. Perera, Russell A. Barrow, Paul A. Weston, Vivien Rolland, Philip Hands, Saliya Gurusinghe, Leslie A. Weston, Geoff M. Gurr
Summary: This study investigated the structure and distribution of antennal sensilla of three introduced dung beetle species in Australia using scanning electron microscopy, and examined their olfactory responses to different dung volatiles using electroantennography. The results revealed species-specific olfactory responses of dung beetles to volatiles, which has important implications for attracting dung beetles in the field.