Context Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) is a leguminous shrub used for beef grazing in low-rainfall regions (<600–700 mm). Newer cultivars have the potential to extend adoption of species higher rainfall (>600–700 mm), frost-free areas Australia. Aim We compared productivity, nutritional value and animal performance two leucaena cultivars, new psyllid-resistant Redlands 2010-released Won...

Plant bioactive compounds (PBC) are widespread in the plant kingdom, including forage species, but their impact on silage fermentation and ruminant use of PBC-containing has been under-researched. The beneficial effects PBC include plant-protein protection against excessive degradation by tannins or polyphenol oxidase leading to reduced soluble nitrogen (N) better N efficiency animals, emission...

Previous research has shown that population densities of plant-parasitic nematodes are reduced when a legume crop is grown in rotation with sugarcane. However, this effect is only temporary, as nematodes usually return to high densities within 12 months of planting sugarcane. This rapid resurgence suggests that natural enemies that normally keep plant-parasitic nematodes under control in natura...

Cockatoo grass [Alloteropsis semialata (R.Br.) A. Hitchc.] is considered a keystone species in northern Australian ecosystems as it provides a food resource for many species, including several endangered vertebrates. This study examined both local and regional environmental factors influencing cockatoo grass distribution and abundance in the Wet Tropics of north Queensland, Australia. Local dis...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Most studies dealing with light partitioning in intercropping systems have used statistical models based on the turbid medium approach, thus assuming homogeneous canopies. However, these models could not be directly validated although spatial heterogeneities could arise in such canopies. The aim of the present study was to assess the ability of the turbid medium approach to ...