Crop-killing Pathogen Found to Disable Plants’ Alarm System
Seed World Staff on 11/28/2025
Scientists at The James Hutton Institute and partner universities have discovered how the destructive crop pathogen Phytophthora infestans disables plant immune systems. Published in Nature Communications, the study reveals that AA7 oxidase enzymes help the microbe silence plant alarm signals. Disab
Breakthrough Study Reconstructs the Evolution and Diversity of Eggplant
Seed World Staff on 11/28/2025
An international research team has produced the first complete eggplant pan-genome and pan-phenome, published in Nature Communications. By analysing 3,400 varieties and 368 key accessions, scientists traced eggplant’s origins to India and Southeast Asia and identified thousands of gene–trait associa
We Assumed Water Was Endless. Scientists Say That Era is Over
Dawn Ius - Seed World Associate Editor on 11/27/2025
Canada is in a race against time to safeguard one of our most precious resources: waterThe post We Assumed Water Was Endless. Scientists Say That Era is Over appeared first on Seed World.
NordGen Joins Global Talks on Crop Diversity in Lima
Seed World Staff on 11/27/2025
NordGen is in Lima for the Eleventh Session of the International Treaty’s Governing Body, joining global delegates to advance conservation and fair access to plant genetic resources. Peru’s rich crop diversity sets the stage for discussions on climate resilience, food security and equitable benefit-
Europe’s Farming Future: Syngenta’s Matthew Pickard on the Big Changes Ahead
Seed World Staff on 11/27/2025
Europe’s agriculture is rapidly transforming under climate pressure, shifting regulations, and fast-advancing technologies. In this fast 5-Questions-in-5-Minutes interview, Syngenta’s Matthew Pickard breaks down the rise of biologicals, the impact of precision tools, and the importance of cross-valu
NGTs at a Crossroads: The UK Steps Forward, Can the EU Keep Up?
Seed World Staff on 11/25/2025
Post-Brexit, the UK has embraced new genomic techniques (NGTs), breaking from the EU’s strict biotech rules. Seed World’s expert panel—Jan Gottlieb, Nigel Moore and Katie Davis—explores how this regulatory shift will impact Europe’s competitiveness, farmers, researchers and global trade. A must-watc
25 Associations Press EU for Rapid, Science-Based NGT Approval
Seed World Staff on 11/25/2025
A coalition of 25 EU food and feed organisations urges policymakers to swiftly finalise New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) rules without adding new burdens. With agriculture facing climate pressures and reduced crop protection tools, the groups warn extra restrictions risk undermining innovation and EU c
How Plants Search For Nutrients
Seed World Staff on 11/24/2025
Researchers from TUM and IPK have identified genetic and root-growth traits that help Arabidopsis thaliana tolerate boron deficiency, a growing challenge under climate change. By analysing 185 datasets, they found seven boron-efficient ecotypes with enhanced lateral root growth and key genomic regio
Ancient Wheat Compound Offers Natural Protection Against Aphids
Seed World Staff on 11/22/2025
Scientists at Rothamsted Research uncovered saponarin, a natural flavonoid in ancestral einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum) that powerfully deters the destructive English grain aphid. Published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the study shows this innate resistance could reduce pestici
CRISPR & Trust: NGT Trailblazer Tropic Weighs in
Seed World Staff on 11/20/2025
CRISPR is reshaping agriculture. Can regulation and public trust keep up?In this episode, we talk with Richard Wells, Senior Patent Attorney at Tropic Biosciences, about how gene editing is transforming crops like banana — a sector hit hard by disease and climate change. Wells explains how Tropic us
Farmers are Rewriting Syngenta’s Approach to Innovation
Seed World Staff on 11/19/2025
Syngenta’s Mathieu Boulay reveals how true agricultural innovation happens through collaboration — from farmers in the field to scientists in the lab and product teams bringing solutions to market. In this exclusive Seed World interview, he shares how grower feedback shapes development, what derails
Researchers Map the Complete Oat Genome to Boost Future Breeding
Seed World Staff on 11/19/2025
An international team led by Germany’s Leibniz Institute has mapped the complete oat pangenome, compiling genetic data from 30 varieties to unlock traits for nutrition, sustainability, and climate resilience. Featuring ETH Zurich’s study of the historic Swiss ‘Hative des Alpes’ oat, the research off
‘Act Now’: Agri-Food Industry Warns EU Red Tape Is Stifling Innovation
Seed World Staff on 11/18/2025
Twenty-four agri-food organisations urge the European Commission to simplify EU risk assessment processes ahead of NGT trilogue negotiations. They warn that regulatory delays, complexity, and administrative burdens are damaging Europe’s competitiveness and slowing innovation. Their joint letter call
Crop Rotation Increases Yields and Revenue by 20%, Major Global Study Finds
Seed World Staff on 11/18/2025
A global study by INRAE and China Agricultural University analyzed over 3,600 field trials and found that crop rotation boosts yields and farm revenue by 20% compared to monocultures. Rotations with legumes improve nutrition and stability, increasing protein, energy, and micronutrients. The findings
Ukraine Opens New Duplicate Centre to Safeguard Plant Genetic Resources
Seed World Staff on 11/18/2025
The FAO and EU, together with global partners, have opened Ukraine’s new Duplicate Centre for Plant Genetic Resources, securing 51,000 seed samples relocated after the Kharkiv gene bank attack. The state-of-the-art facility strengthens long-term preservation, research, and international cooperation,
UK Precision Breeding Act Takes Effect, Driving Crop Innovation
Seed World Staff on 11/17/2025
The UK’s Precision Breeding Act has officially taken effect, creating a science-based regulatory framework that separates gene-edited crops from GMOs and accelerates innovation. Research leaders at NIAB and Rothamsted Research hailed the law as a historic milestone, enabling faster development of di
Euroseeds, Copa and Cogeca Pushes EU for Science-First NGT Rules
Seed World Staff on 11/17/2025
Euroseeds, Copa and Cogeca urge the EU to adopt a science-based, innovation-friendly framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). They stress that NGT 1 plant verification must remain purely technical, with minimal traceability and labelling burdens. A proportionate, globally aligned approach would
Breakthrough Brings Self-Fertilizing Crops One Step Closer
Seed World Staff on 11/17/2025
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a molecular mechanism that could enable cereal crops like wheat and maize to fix nitrogen naturally, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. By altering two amino acids in a plant receptor, the team reprogrammed plants to form symbiotic relationsh
Agriculture’s Best-Kept Climate Secret: The Power of Seeds
Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 11/17/2025
Seed innovation is emerging as a critical climate solution ahead of COP30 in Brazil. The International Seed Federation highlights how climate-ready seeds boost resilience, protect farmer livelihoods, reduce agriculture’s footprint, and strengthen food security. ISF urges smarter policy, stronger sup
Seed World INSIGHT: Plant Genetic Resources Treaty at a Crossroads
Seed World Staff on 11/17/2025
Global negotiations this November in Lima will determine how countries share and benefit from plant genetic resources, shaping the future of crop innovation, biodiversity, and food security. In a Seed World INSIGHT panel, leaders from ISF, Bejo Zaden, and Corteva examine fair ABS systems, DSI govern
The International Plant Genetic Resources Treaty, Simplified
Seed World Staff on 11/17/2025
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources is entering major renegotiation in Nov. 2025, where more than 150 countries will decide how to update funding, benefit-sharing, and rules for rapidly evolving genetic technologies. In a Seed World EXPLAINS video, Jasmina Muminović clarifies how glo
Grass Seed Market Outlook: Clarity in Turbulence
Seed World Staff on 11/17/2025
The turfgrass seed market is finally stabilizing after years of dramatic swings in supply and demand. Mountain View Seeds’ Brett Freeborn offers a rare, global view of emerging opportunities, key demand drivers, and crucial lessons from recent turbulence. His insights help industry leaders better pl
Beyond Yield: The New Frontier of Sustainable Agricultural Growth
Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 11/14/2025
Agriculture is at a critical turning point, says CropLife International CEO Emily Rees. A new report from CropLife International and NTT DATA shows how farmers worldwide are boosting productivity, restoring ecosystems, and building climate resilience. From Brazil’s ILPF systems to Cambodia’s soil re
Experts Discuss DNA’s Role in the Future of Plant Breeding
Seed World Staff on 11/14/2025
Naktuinbouw’s symposium, “To Divide Is to Multiply,” gathered breeding experts to explore how DNA technologies can enhance DUS testing and breeding efficiency. Speakers from CropXR, Dümmen Orange, CPVO, and Naktuinbouw emphasized collaboration, data sharing, and legal clarity as key to innovation. T