Trends in plant sciences

Abstract

In this special issue of NZJA, we have collected papers that focus on new science in the discipline of plant sciences. The 12 papers presented here reflect a wide spectrum of plant sciences related to pasture and pasture management. There are five submissions on legumes, three on ryegrass, two on weed (buttercup) and herbage resistance, one on chicory and one on proximal hyperspectral sensing of pasture quality. This work is a poignant collection that reflects current trends and focuses in plant science research. Ryegrass is always an important subject area, as are grassland legumes – either in grass/clover mixes or as grazed monocultures. Chicory is a topical forage, and in terms of grassland weeds, the buttercup genera are a difficult group to control. Proximal hyperspectral sensing of grasslands is an increasing area of interest and research.