Scientists Use CRISPR to Strengthen Grapevines in African First

Seed World Staff on 04/28/2026

African researchers used CRISPR to successfully edit grapevine DNA for the first time in a woody crop on the continent. By switching off the VvDMR6.1 gene, the study reduced susceptibility to downy mildew and improved drought response, highlighting genome editing’s potential for climate-resilient gr

CRISPR Study Unlocks Precision Chromosome Editing in Wheat

Seed World Staff on 04/28/2026

IPK researchers used CRISPR/Cas to reduce or remove chromosomes in wheat and other large-genome plants by targeting satellite DNA. Published in Plant Communications, the breakthrough shows how precise chromosome editing can create new genetic variants, accelerate wheat breeding and support the devel

Euroseeds InnovAction Stage 2026: Deadline April 30

Seed World Europe on 04/28/2026

Euroseeds Congress 2026 InnovAction Stage offers startups, research initiatives, and established seed companies a platform to showcase breakthrough innovations. Madeleine Baerg and Dr. Amelie Detterbeck discuss how applicants can gain visibility, credibility, industry feedback, and meaningful connec

What To Expect at Euroseeds 2026

Seed World Staff on 04/28/2026

Shawn Brook interviews Garlich von Essen on the future of the seed sector ahead of Euroseeds Congress 2026, exploring geopolitical shifts, innovation, regulation, sustainability, biologicals, traceability, and plant breeding. The conversation highlights how collaboration, networking, and emerging te

Breeders Trust Settles Case Over Illegal Seed Potato Listing In Denmark

Seed World Staff on 04/24/2026

Danish potato grower settles Breeders Trust case after a Facebook listing offered protected Solist seed potatoes, underscoring that online advertisements can infringe plant breeders’ rights even without a sale. The case highlights strict seed potato certification rules, legal and phytosanitary risks

“Lazy” Crop Roots: Traditional Sorghum Outperforms on Recycled Phosphorus

Seed World Staff on 04/24/2026

Traditional sorghum lines may hold the key to more efficient crop nutrition as agriculture shifts toward recycled fertilisers. A University of Queensland study found landraces outperformed modern sorghum when phosphorus was less soluble, thanks to stronger root traits and exudate chemistry. The find

Solar Panels Boost Crop Efficiency: Tomato Systems Use Half the Water

Seed World Staff on 04/23/2026

Agrovoltaic tomato systems could help agriculture save water while producing renewable energy on the same land. Research in Spain found that combining solar panels with deficit irrigation cut water use by about 50%, with roughly a 20% yield penalty. The findings highlight new opportunities for breed

Why Costa Rica Is Attracting Global Seed Investment and R&D

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 04/22/2026

Costa Rica is a leading hub for seed innovation, offering regulatory stability, diverse microclimates and skilled talent. Its science-based framework, counter-season advantage and advanced R&D infrastructure enable companies to test, develop and scale globally. With strong institutional support and

£3 Billion DNA Project: How Sequencing UK Biodiversity Could Transform Agriculture and Innovation

Seed World Staff on 04/22/2026

The Darwin Tree of Life Project could generate nearly £3 billion in economic value across the UK and Ireland by sequencing all complex life. For agriculture, gains of £800 million to £1.4 billion could boost crop resilience, pest control and climate adaptation. Open-access reference genomes are stre

Euroseeds Welcomes Member States’ Backing of NGT Regulation Deal

Seed World Staff on 04/21/2026

Euroseeds welcomes EU Member States’ formal adoption of the Council’s first-reading position on the new Regulation on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). The decision confirms the trilogue compromise with the European Parliament and marks a major step toward final adoption. Euroseeds says the new NGT fra

Legume Generation Project Aims to Boost Legume Breeding and Protein Crop Performance in Europe

Donal Murphy-Bokern on 04/20/2026

Legume Generation aims to strengthen European legume breeding through breeder-led innovation, addressing yield gaps, underinvestment, and reliance on imported protein. By uniting research and breeding across key crops, the project accelerates genetic progress, improves agronomic performance, and bui

20 Most Promising Young Plant Breeders in Europe 2026

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 04/16/2026

Seed World Europe’s April 2026 edition highlights the 20 Most Promising Young Plant Breeders in Europe, showcasing innovators shaping the future of agriculture. Combining classical breeding with genomics, AI, and data science, these young experts are advancing crop resilience, sustainability, and pr

Defining Seed and Food Security

David Zaruk – Seed World Columnist on 04/14/2026

Food security is understood differently across cultures, with China prioritizing it as a core national security issue while Western societies often take it for granted. This contrast shapes attitudes toward seed research and innovation. The article explores how regulation, public perception and poli

Seed Programs International Connects Smallholder Farmers to the Seed Sector

Aimee Nielson - Seed World U.S. Editor on 04/14/2026

A small team, a global network and millions reached — Seed Programs International connects smallholder farmers to the seed sector, turning donations and partnerships into measurable food security impact.At a time when global food systems are under pressure, one organization is proving that the most

Drones and AI Transform Wheat Crop Monitoring for Climate Resilience

Seed World Staff on 04/14/2026

Drones and artificial intelligence are transforming how scientists monitor wheat crops and identify climate-resilient varieties. By tracking crop growth with advanced imaging and sensors, researchers can predict yield and stability before harvest. This approach helps breeders select wheat crops that

New Mapping Tools Offer Deeper Insights into UK Soil Health

Seed World Staff on 04/13/2026

A new suite of high-resolution soil and landscape maps for Great Britain will help farmers, land managers, and researchers improve soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Developed through AgZero+, the maps offer more detailed, consistent, and updateable soil data to support digital tools

Euroseeds NextGen Forum 2026 Connects Students with Seed Sector Careers

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 04/13/2026

The Euroseeds NextGen Forum 2026 in Valencia connects young researchers with seed industry leaders to address talent gaps in plant breeding. Bringing together students, PhDs and professionals, the initiative fosters networking, career opportunities and collaboration. By bridging academia and industr

Supporting Genebanks: Enlightened Self Interest

Niels Louwaars on 04/10/2026

Genebanks are essential public infrastructure that conserve crop diversity and support breeders, food security, and climate resilience. While governments and the Crop Trust provide core funding, private-sector support remains vital. Backed by initiatives such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, stron

Global Consortium Calls for Mapping Gene Expression Across All Wheat Cells

Seed World Staff on 04/09/2026

The Wheat Spatial Omics Consortium, spanning 80 researchers in nine countries, urges a global effort to map gene expression across every wheat cell type and developmental stage. Published in Nature Genetics, the framework shows how spatial omics and AI can boost wheat breeding, improve stress tolera

Wageningen to Launch Field Trials with NGT Potatoes

Seed World Staff on 04/09/2026

Wageningen University & Research and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture will begin new genetically modified potato field trials in 2026, testing disease- and pest-resistant varieties. The trials aim to reduce pesticide use, improve protection against late blight, and assess practical performance. Usi

Scientists Develop Leaf-Friendly Electrode for Smart Agriculture

Seed World Staff on 04/09/2026

Researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo have developed an ultra-thin, transparent, water-resistant nanofilm electrode that monitors plant stress without disrupting leaf function. The sensor works even on hairy leaves, preserves photosynthesis, and stays attached under rainfall. Published in Ad

Gene-Edited Wheat Cuts Harmful Acrylamide Without Yield Loss

Seed World Staff on 04/08/2026

Scientists at Rothamsted Research have developed CRISPR-edited wheat with up to 93% lower asparagine, cutting acrylamide formation in bread and biscuits without reducing yield. Field trials show gene editing outperforms conventional breeding in precision and safety. The breakthrough could help food

Euroseeds Joins Call to Preserve Agriculture and Bioeconomy in EU Research Programme

Seed World Staff on 04/08/2026

Euroseeds and more than 20 stakeholders have welcomed MEP Christian Ehler’s draft ITRE report on Horizon Europe 2028–2034 but urge lawmakers to keep agriculture and the bioeconomy explicitly named in the programme. The coalition warns that proposed wording changes could weaken investment, food secur

Gene Discovery Opens Path to Deeper, More Efficient Crop Roots

Seed World Staff on 04/08/2026

Researchers identified the plant signaling gene CEPR1 as a promising target for breeding cereal crops with steeper, narrower root systems that may better access water and nutrients. The study found this pathway is conserved across major grains, though barley showed yield penalties. The findings coul