Context Phenotypic plasticity can be a valuable adaptation strategy for coping with environmental heterogeneity. There is limited information on the plasticity of root traits and their effect on yield and yield stability. Objectives With a perspective of phenotypic plasticity, we focus on functional root traits associated to water uptake in field-grown sorghum to answer: (i) How do genetic (G), environmental (E) and management...

Background and Aims Barley breeding has increased yield over the last century, but the associated changes in the phenotype are largely unknown. Our aim was to quantify the rate of genetic gain in a collection of Australian barley cultivars representing seven decades of breeding, and the associated changes in the phenotype. Methods Thirteen barley cultivars were grown in the field at Roseworthy and Mintaro, South Australia, to...