In the early 20th century, agricultural production was mostly focused on traditional, low-input systems where seed was actively selected by farmers and then frequently saved on-farm for sowing in subsequent seasons. More recently, the replacement of diverse landraces (LR) with fewer genetically homogeneous, commercially bred cultivars has led to considerable genetic erosion and loss of valuable plant genetic resources. Without appropriate in situ and ex situ conservation, it is inevitable that genetic erosion will continue at an undesirable rate until the loss of these unique resources. Earlier projects to document and inventory LR cultivation in the United Kingdom (UK) provide some insights but were incomplete, leaving research gaps that still need to be addressed. This research provides information on the current status of UK wheat LR diversity and identifies the significant challenges associated with cultivating LR on-farm. A total of 50 farmer interviews were conducted between January and June 2024. It was found that the number of wheat LR maintained on-farm, and the scale at which these varieties are grown, has increased since 2009. There are now 27 varieties maintained over 700 hectares. However, lack of market demand and seed availability have been shown to limit the conservation of these varieties, and therefore, strategies should be implemented to overcome some of the challenges associated with the cultivation of LR. Recommendations are put forward to encourage their continued growing on-farm, and to safeguard important plant genetic resources for future generations.

North Carolina farmers face mounting challenges in controlling Italian ryegrass, as herbicide-resistant populations continue to be found in more fields across the state. Increased selection pressure has led to cases of multiple and cross resistance to herbicides, leaving growers with fewer options for effective weed control. The objective of this study was to understand the Italian ryegrass frequency and distribution of resistance to commonly used postemergence herbicides with various sites of action. Italian ryegrass seedheads were collected from throughout North Carolina in June 2022. A statewide grid sample resulted in 115 samples being collected from wheat fields with observed Italian ryegrass escapes. Seeds were germinated in greenhouses, and herbicides were applied to 4-leaf plants. Treatments included a nontreated check, and applications of glufosinate, glyphosate, mesosulfuron, paraquat, and pinoxaden, all at 1× rates according to each product label. Populations controlled ≤50% by a specific herbicide were considered to have putative resistant. Forty-four populations were found to exhibit putative resistance to glufosinate, 17 to pinoxaden, 10 to mesosulfuron, 2 to glyphosate, and 1 to paraquat. One population with four-way resistance and two with three-way resistance were found. The results from this collection were compared with populations from a similar statewide collection conducted in 2012. These populations were screened for response to diclofop, mesosulfuron, pinoxaden, and pyroxsulam. We also screened these populations for response to glufosinate, glyphosate, and paraquat. Out of 102 populations, none were found to be resistant to glyphosate and paraquat, while 91 were determined to exhibit resistance to glufosinate. These results are helpful for growers and Extension personnel as they develop effective weed management programs.

Oklahoma State University’s wheat breeding program develops wheat varieties in response to disease and pest pressures and industry demands for quality. The economic impact on Oklahoma wheat producers has not been studied. We estimate the impact of OSU wheat varieties on Oklahoma wheat yields, yield variability, and returns to producers, 2007–2023. The breeding program increased the state’s wheat output by 0.75 bu ac−1 per year on OSU variety acres, and increased producer revenue by an annual average of $5.81 million (in 2023$). It generated a total benefit of $99M. Every dollar invested in the program returned $10.02 to wheat producers.

Trifludimoxazin + saflufenacil is a premixed herbicide that can be applied both preemergence and postemergence for burndown purposes ahead of planting corn, soybean, grain sorghum, and wheat. With early season corn growth often occurring simultaneously with preplant burndown of fields in later-planted soybean and grain sorghum, the odds increase that negative effects may be associated with off-target movement of the herbicide to the corn crop. Field studies were conducted in 2024 at seven locations to evaluate the effect of reduced rates of trifludimoxazin + saflufenacil (12.5% to 0.4% of the lowest application rate of 38.3 g ai ha−1 proposed by the manufacturer) applied to 2-leaf or 4-leaf corn. When assessed at 7 d after treatment (DAT), corn injury from early and later applications ranged from 21% to 3% and 19% to 5%, respectively, while at 14 DAT injury ranged from 12% to 5% and from 8% to 1%. At 28 DAT, the highest rate (1/8×) applied to 2-leaf corn resulted in 6% visible injury, whereas no other treatment resulted in more than 3% injury. Early season plant height was negatively affected, more so at the three highest rates applied and when the herbicide was applier earlier, but this reduction did not affect yield. Nevertheless, trifludimoxazin + saflufenacil should not be applied to a field adjacent to corn in the early vegetative stages of growth. Corn affected by off-target movement should, however, be expected to fully recover following 2-leaf exposure, with no effect on yield and minimal yield effects (<3% reduction) at later timing given adequate growing conditions and agronomic/pest management practices.

This study evaluated the sublethal and demographic effects of deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and chlorantraniliprole on the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The age–stage, two-sex life table model was used to assess population parameters following exposure to LC₃₀, LC₄₀, and LC₅₀ concentrations of each insecticide under laboratory conditions. Sublethal treatments significantly affected developmental time, longevity, fecundity, and overall population fitness. The total pre-adult duration increased from 11.66 days in the control to 18.07 days under deltamethrin LC₅₀ exposure. Adult longevity decreased from 18.06 days in the control to 11.52, 13.92, and 14.18 days for deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and chlorantraniliprole LC₅₀, respectively. Fecundity was severely reduced, declining from 57.69 nymphs per female in the control to 10.63, 21.57, and 28.92 at LC₅₀ of the respective insecticides. Demographic analysis showed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) significantly decreased with increasing concentration. The control population exhibited r = 0.346 day−1 and λ = 1.413 day−1, whereas these values dropped to 0.097 and 1.101 under deltamethrin LC₅₀, 0.165 and 1.179 under cypermethrin LC₅₀, and 0.198 and 1.219 under chlorantraniliprole LC₅₀. Conversely, mean generation time (T) increased from 11.66 to 18.07 days. Overall, deltamethrin caused the most severe demographic suppression, followed by cypermethrin and chlorantraniliprole. These findings demonstrate that sublethal insecticide exposure can markedly disrupt the life history and population growth of R. padi, underscoring the necessity of integrating sublethal effect evaluations into ecological risk assessment and IPM programs.

Drill-seeded rice (DSR) offers several agronomic and environmental advantages over conventional puddled-transplanted rice (PTR), including labor and water savings, reduced cultivation costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Despite these benefits, weed control remains a major bottleneck in the widespread adoption of DSR. Imidazolinone (IMI)-resistant rice, which allows the use of imidazolinone herbicides, has the potential to overcome weed control challenges in DSR and can therefore facilitate the transition from PTR to DSR. However, limited information exists on the effectiveness of IMI herbicide–based weed control programs in drill-seeded IMI-resistant rice in northwestern India. Field experiments were conducted in Karnal, India, from the 2020 through 2023 growing seasons to 1) evaluate the timing and rates of imidazolinone herbicides for effective weed control in IMI-resistant rice under DSR conditions, and 2) assess the potential carryover effects of IMI herbicides on succeeding crops. Results showed that sequential early postemergence applications of imazethapyr followed by (fb) late postemergence applications of either 100 fb 150 g ai ha−1 or 125 fb 125 g ai ha−1) effectively reduced the biomass of key weed species by 83% to 100%, including barnyardgrass, crowfootgrass, and Chinese sprangletop, and provided yields that were similar to weed-free treatments. These sequential postemergence treatments were consistently more effective than conventional preemergence herbicide applications of oxadiargyl fb a postemergence application of bispyribac-sodium. Sequential preemergence fb postemergence applications of imazethapyr were relatively less effective in controlling weeds and minimizing yield losses compared to sequential postemergence applications. However, in the second and third years, oxadiargyl (90 g ai ha−1) applied preemergence fb imazethapyr (100 g ai ha−1) applied postemergence achieved comparable weed control efficiency to those of sequential postemergence applications of imazethapyr (125 fb 125 g ai ha−1). No phytotoxicity was observed in the succeeding crops of wheat, mustard, chickpea, lentil, and corn from any of the herbicide treatments applied to IMI-resistant rice.

Herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth has been problematic within the United States for the past 30 yr. The recent introduction of Palmer amaranth into the Pacific Northwest (PNW) prompted extensive surveys in 2023 and 2024 to collect seed samples for herbicide-resistance screening and leaf tissue for resistance-mechanism genotyping. Greenhouse dose-response bioassays were conducted in Kimberly, Idaho, during summer 2024 to assess the response of Palmer amaranth populations to selected postemergence herbicides. Resistance to glyphosate predominated across populations, and reduced sensitivity to 2,4-D, dicamba, and mesotrione was also observed. In contrast, glufosinate and saflufenacil provided effective control of Palmer amaranth populations in the PNW. Based on the dose-response bioassays, the effective dose required to provide 90% control (ED90) of the suspected glyphosate-resistant populations was 20-fold to 63-fold compared with the susceptible population. Subsequent duplication analysis of the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene was conducted to confirm glyphosate resistance in the Palmer amaranth populations. About 74% (17 of 23) of the Palmer amaranth tissue samples exhibited gene duplication, with up to 150 copies of the EPSPS gene. The EPSPS gene amplification analysis of plants that survived a 2× rate of glyphosate (2,520 g ae ha−1) showed up to 150 EPSPS genes in glyphosate-resistant populations. The widespread glyphosate resistance in the collected samples suggests that Palmer amaranth populations are being introduced into the PNW from locations where resistance to herbicide sites of action has previously evolved.

Smooth scouringrush is a deep-rooted, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial that has been difficult to control in dryland wheat-producing regions in the Pacific Northwest. Long-term field experiments were conducted at Omak, Edwall, and Steptoe, Washington, to evaluate applications of chlorsulfuron + metsulfuron (21.9 + 4.4 g ai ha−1), triasulfuron (29.5 g ai ha−1), or MCPA ester (780 or 1,122 g ae ha−1). The Omak trial (2017–2021) included two 2-yr cycles of a winter wheat/chemical summer fallow rotation. The Edwall and Steptoe trials (2019–2025) included two 3-yr cycles of winter wheat/spring wheat/chemical summer fallow rotation. Six preassigned herbicide sequences tested the efficacy of 1) chlorsulfuron + metsulfuron applied during one or both chemical fallow phases and 2) triasulfuron alone applied to wheat. MCPA ester was applied as a check treatment. Smooth scouringrush stem density was evaluated in each plot each year. Chlorsulfuron + metsulfuron applied in the first chemical summer fallow phase maintained relatively low stem density in all three trials through the first rotation cycle compared with the check treatment. Chlorsulfuron + metsulfuron applied in the second chemical summer fallow phase extended control through the second rotation cycle. However, in the 3-yr rotation trials, chlorsulfuron + metsulfuron was not as effective in the second rotation cycle at Steptoe where stem densities averaged only 6 stems m−2 at time of the second application. Triasulfuron applied to wheat was not effective in controlling smooth scouringrush. Smooth scouringrush reduced wheat yield in the MCPA ester check sequence at Edwall, but no differences were observed at Steptoe or Omak. Chlorsulfuron + metsulfuron applied in chemical fallow is effective for long-term control of smooth scouringrush in wheat-based cropping systems. A subsequent application in chemical fallow can be effective if an adequate number of stems are present to facilitate foliar uptake.

Herbicides are commonly used for weed control in wheat production due to their effectiveness, speed, and lower cost compared to other management methods. This study aimed to evaluate the selectivity and efficacy of herbicides applied alone or in combination for controlling major weed species infesting wheat in Brazil. Field experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Terbuthylazine (500 and 750 g ha−1) + adjuvant, carfentrazone-ethyl (120 g ha−1), saflufenacil and pyraflufen-ethyl (3.75 and 5 g ha−1) + clodinafop-propargyl caused the highest phytotoxicity to wheat. The best wheat physiological performance (internal CO2 concentration, photosynthesis and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, water use, and carboxylation efficiencies) was observed with terbuthylazine (750 g ha−1), carfentrazone-ethyl (80 g ha−1), 2,4-D (670 g ha−1), and terbuthylazine + clodinafop-propargyl (750 + 96 g ha−1). Terbuthylazine (500 and 750 g ha−1) and pyraflufen-ethyl (3.75 and 5 g ha−1) combined with clodinafop-propargyl (96 g ha−1), provided the most effective control of wild radish and ryegrass and resulted in the highest grain yields. Regarding the grain yield components of wheat (number of plants per meter, number of spikes, spike length, number of filled and sterile grains, hectoliter weight, thousand-grain mass, and grain yield), the weed-free control and the treatment with terbuthylazine + clodinafop-propargyl (750 + 96 g ha⁻¹) showed the best performance. In the absence of weed control, average grain yield losses reached 91%. The herbicides terbuthylazine and pyraflufen-ethyl demonstrated potential for the control of broadleaf weeds such as wild radish, which exhibit resistance to acetolactate synthase inhibitors, and where 2,4-D is less effective under low-temperature conditions. However, further studies using commercial formulations, adjuvants, and varietal tolerance tests are required to validate the use of these herbicides on wheat in Brazil.

This paper examines Cyrenaica’s capacity for cereal production, focusing on Cyrene’s wheat output supporting the Greek cities. It also explores the region’s favourable agricultural conditions and presents local Hellenistic inscriptions that document cereal cultivation over three centuries. The paper argues that the wheat sent from Cyrene to the Greeks during the Hellenistic period was offered as a donation rather than exported for profit. This argument is supported by three main points: first, the quantities mentioned represent only a quarter, or possibly less, of Cyrene’s annual wheat production; second, a Greek poetic inscription from Cyrene (second or early third century AD) praises the city for donating one hundred ships of grain to aid the Greeks; and, third, literary references describe Cyrenaica and Cyrene as renowned for cereal production, particularly wheat. Literary references, together with epigraphic evidence, also reflect the ongoing demand for wheat among both Greeks and Romans. It concludes that Cyrene was one of the important sources of wheat for these nations, and that it was widely known as a provider of free wheat shipments during times of hardship. It also suggests that Cyrene commemorated the Hellenistic wheat consignment because it was given as a gift.

Crop establishment system choice is crucial for growers, with various options differing in tillage type, depth and intensity. In Ireland, plough-based establishment dominates, but interest in and adoption of non-inversion systems is growing. These systems have proven successful in drier climates, where they evolved, but their performance under wetter Atlantic-influenced conditions is less studied. Limited research indicates challenges such as increased grass weed pressure, inconsistent yields, poorer crop establishment and reduced suitability for spring cropping. Additionally, the suitability of conventional replicated trials for extrapolating performance to farm level is frequently questioned for systems-type research. This research combines two complementary studies: a replicated field trial and detailed on-farm studies. The performance of wheat grown following a break crop in plough, min-till and direct drill systems was evaluated using both methods over three seasons. In the replicated trial, where management and input use were consistent across treatments, variation was recorded in plant densities and growth with only minor effects on yield. In contrast, the on-farm study, where management and input use varied between systems, showed no variation in plant densities and growth but did reveal significant yield differences. These were associated with input use and establishment system. The on-farm study provided valuable insight into the range of performance of these systems in commercial settings. However, it was less effective at isolating which specific components were responsible for the observed performance differences between systems.

FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides And Polyols) are indigestible, short-chain carbohydrates fermented in the large intestine, causing discomfort in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). FODMAPs, specifically fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), lactose, fructose in excess of glucose, and polyols, are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, milk and their processed products. The aim of this project was to identify the major sources of FODMAPs in the New Zealand diet to guide research into reducing FODMAPs in those major sources. FODMAP data were collected from the New Zealand Food Composition Database(1), in-house data and published sources(2-5). NZ food consumption data were sourced from multiple published sources. Estimated potential dietary intake of FODMAPs in NZ was calculated in grams per capita per annum. Foods and beverages were ranked to ascertain major FODMAP sources within each food group. Without replicated data for individual foods, inferential statistical analysis was not possible. NZ food consumption data on a per capita per annum basis is limited, therefore consumption data were calculated based on serving size and serves per day per capita for some foods. Comprehensive FODMAP data are not available for NZ foods and beverages. In terms of FODMAP data, the New Zealand Food Composition Database(1) contains only fructose and glucose data (to calculate excess fructose) and lactose data. The main cereal and grain source of FODMAPs is wheat flour (763–831 g fructan) and the main cereal-based product sources are breads (55–1194 g fructan, up to 121 g excess fructose and 55–159 g GOS) and breakfast cereals (60–525 g fructan, up to 99 g excess fructose, up to 159 g GOS, and 2409 g lactose if consumed with cow’s milk). The main fruit source of FODMAPs is apples, providing up to 456 g excess fructose and 68–81 g sorbitol. The main vegetable sources are onion bulb (134–662 g fructan), cauliflower (131 g mannitol) and mushroom (53 g mannitol). Consumption data for garlic were unavailable. Cow’s milk is the main source of lactose (4516–5259 g), followed by ice cream (415–937 g), cheeses and butter. The main beverage sources are milk and milk-based café-style coffee (1407–4220 g lactose) and apple-based fruit juices (486–836 g excess fructose). Little data exist for sweeteners and confectionery. Honey and pear juice (containing excess fructose) are sources, as are artificial sweeteners such as erythritol, maltitol and xylitol (i.e. polyols), commonly found in chewing gum, diabetic and low-carb food products. Milk chocolate contributes to lactose consumption. More comprehensive New Zealand food consumption data (on a per capita per annum basis) are required to obtain a more accurate picture of dietary FODMAP intake. Adding oligosaccharide and polyol data to the New Zealand Food Composition Database would be beneficial to provide complete FODMAP data of New Zealand foods.

In this study, the effects of wheat-based diets processed in a hammer mill with different sieve diameters (4000 (fine), 5000 (medium) and 6000 (coarse) µm) and enzyme addition (0 and 300 g/ton) on the performance, slaughtering characteristics, tibia properties, jejunum morphology and pancreatic enzyme secretion in broilers (1–42 days) were tested in a 3×2 factorial design. A total of 480 one-day-old chickens were randomly distributed into 6 treatment groups of 5 replicates, each containing 16 birds. The performance of broilers was not affected by particle size. Dietary enzyme supplementation improved body weight on the 1–10th day period but did not affect other performance parameters. Thigh and abdominal fat increased with fine particle size, breast weight increased with medium particle size and gizzard weight increased with coarse particle size. Enzyme addition decreased the carcass and gizzard weights. Tibia breaking strength decreased with fine particle size. Tibia wall thickness and ash increased with enzyme addition. Pancreatic enzyme secretions increased in the coarse group and with enzyme supplementation. Jejunum histomorphology worsened with coarse particle size, while enzyme inclusion improved histomorphology. The interactions affected feed consumption (25–42nd day), feed conversion ratio (11–24th day), breast weight, tibia breaking strength and ash, pancreas weight, lipase activity and villus parameters. These findings demonstrated that coarse grinding of wheat-based diets improved bone development and pancreatic enzyme activity without affecting performance while worsening jejunum morphology. Enzyme addition positively affected bone and digestive system development.

This article investigates the global history of dryland modernisation through the case study of southern Italy. From the early twentieth century to the fascist years, several intellectuals, scientists, and politicians reinterpreted the apparent and long-standing backwardness of this region as fundamentally due to its hydrology and climate: southern Italy was rediscovered as a dry land, formally part of Italy and civilised Europe and yet environmentally closer to extra-European spaces of empire. The article shows how Italian agrarian scientists mobilised this ‘environmental Otherness’ of the Italian south as the key to developing a ‘dryland’ science alternative to that of ‘humid’ northern Italy and continental Europe. Instead, this ‘dryland’ approach to modernisation grounded southern Italy within a vast transimperial network defined by the co-production and circulation of knowledge and technologies allowing the adaptation of modern and intensive food production to semi-arid regions. As such, the article argues that Italian agrarian scientists redefined the spatial order of the Italian south in a transimperial sense, embracing its environmental Otherness as a vantage point for its rehabilitation within Italy’s nation-building.

Corteva Agriscience recently registered a premix of tolpyralate and bromoxynil in the United States and Canada for weed control in cereal fields. Limited information exists on weed control efficacy and crop safety with this new herbicide premixture. Greenhouse trials were conducted for 2 yr to test the efficacy of tolpyralate and bromoxynil combinations on 14 broadleaf and four grass weeds and its safety to wheat and barley. Four combinations of tolpyralate and bromoxynil at a 1:10 ratio (3.75 + 37.5, 7.5+ 75, 11.25 + 112.5, and 15 + 150 g ai ha−1) as a tank mix and premix were tested. Stand-alone treatments of tolpyralate and bromoxynil were also included in this study. The lowest tested rate of tolpyralate (3.75 g ha−1) provided 10% to 98% control of broadleaf weeds and 27% to 77% control of grass weeds. Bromoxynil at the lowest tested rate (37.5 g ha−1) provided 16% to 80% control of broadleaf weeds and 0% to 30% control of grass weeds. Tank mixing these two herbicides at the same rates resulted in improved broadleaf (60% to 100%) and grass (45% to 94%) weed control. The minimum recommended field use rate of tolpyralate + bromoxynil (15 + 150 g ha−1) controlled all the broadleaf weeds by >95%. That combination also controlled green foxtail, barnyardgrass, and large crabgrass by >90%. An additive or synergistic effect between the two herbicides was observed against several broadleaf and grass weed species. Among all the tested weeds, a greater synergistic effect was observed when the herbicides were used on kochia, chickweed, wild mustard, corn poppy, barnyardgrass, green foxtail, and fall panicum. The premix of the two herbicides provided similar control of broadleaf weeds, but better control of grass weeds than the tank-mix combinations. The premix can be used safely on wheat and barley.