Genetic analysis of tolerance to the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus neglectus in the legume Medicago littoralis.

Background: The nematode Pratylenchus neglectus has a wide host range and is able to feed on the root systems of cereals, oilseeds, grain and pasture legumes. Under the Mediterranean low rainfall environments of Australia, annual Medicago pasture legumes are used in rotation with cereals to fix atmospheric nitrogen and improve soil parameters. Considerable efforts are being made in breeding programs to improve resistance and tolerance to Pratylenchus neglectus in the major crops wheat and barley, which makes it vital to develop appropriate selection tools in medics.

Genetic analysis of tolerance to boron toxicity in the legume Medicago truncatula.

Background: Medicago truncatula Gaertn. (barrel medic) is cultivated as a pasture legume for its high protein content and ability to improve soils through nitrogen fixation. Toxic concentrations of the micronutrient Boron (B) in agricultural soils hamper the production of cereal and leguminous crops.

Genetic structure of South Australian Pyrenophora teres populations as revealed by microsatellite analyses.

The aim of this study was to determine the genetic structure of South Australian field populations of the barley net blotch pathogens, Pyrenophora teres f. sp. teres (PTT) and P.