Phenotypic and molecular characterisation of novel Vicia faba germplasm with tolerance to acetohydroxyacid synthase-inhibiting herbicides (AHAS) developed through mutagenesis techniques.

Background: Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important crop in Australian farming systems, however, weed control is a major constraint due to a lack of in-crop broadleaf herbicide options. To address this, we developed acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) inhibitor herbicide tolerance in faba bean using mutagenesis techniques.

Molecular basis of adaptation to high soil boron in wheat landraces and elite cultivars.

Environmental constraints severely restrict crop yields in most production environments, and expanding the use of variation will underpin future progress in breeding. In semi-arid environments boron toxicity constrains productivity, and genetic improvement is the only effective strategy for addressing the problem. Wheat breeders have sought and used available genetic diversity from landraces to maintain yield in these environments; however, the identity of the genes at the major tolerance loci was unknown.

Ecological release from interspecific competition leads to decoupled changes in population and individual niche width.

A species's niche width reflects a balance between the diversifying effects of intraspecific competition and the constraining effects of interspecific competition. This balance shifts when a species from a competitive environment invades a depauperate habitat where interspecific competition is reduced. The resulting ecological release permits population niche expansion, via increased individual niche widths and/or increased among-individual variation.

Lactate, fructose and glucose oxidation profiles in sports drinks and the effect on exercise performance.

Exogenous carbohydrate oxidation was assessed in 6 male Category 1 and 2 cyclists who consumed CytoMax (C) or a leading sports drink (G) before and during continuous exercise (CE). C contained lactate-polymer, fructose, glucose and glucose polymer, while G contained fructose and glucose. Peak power output and VO2 on a cycle ergometer were 408+/-13 W and 67.