Data Abundance Is Reshaping Plant Breeding
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 06/08/2026
Enid Perez-Lara explains how data abundance is changing plant breeding, from integration challenges to better decision-making.The post Data Abundance Is Reshaping Plant Breeding appeared first on Seed World.For decades, plant breeders faced a simple challenge: collecting enough data. Today, many bre
Why the Seed Sector Is Raising the Bar on Social Rights
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 06/08/2026
In an interview with Ben Rivoire of the International Seed Federation, Seed World explores whether labor rights and ethical practices could become a major accountability issue for companies across the global seed value chain.The post Why the Seed Sector Is Raising the Bar on Social Rights appeared
Australia’s Seed Market Rewards Those Who Play the Long Game
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 06/04/2026
Australia’s seed market is difficult to access, but Australian Seed Federation CEO Katherine Delbridge says those barriers help build trust and opportunity.The post Australia’s Seed Market Rewards Those Who Play the Long Game appeared first on Seed World.Australia is one of the most difficult seed m
New Seed Development Map Could Improve Crop Yield
Seed World Staff on 06/04/2026
A new seed development map from Whitehead Institute could help researchers study crop yield, nutrient storage and resilience.The post New Seed Development Map Could Improve Crop Yield appeared first on Seed World.A new gene expression atlas could help researchers better understand how seeds develop,
New Pipeline Targets Fungicide Discovery in Wheat
Seed World Staff on 06/04/2026
A Rothamsted Research pipeline aims to speed fungicide discovery for Septoria tritici blotch by screening microbial compounds.The post New Pipeline Targets Fungicide Discovery in Wheat appeared first on Seed World.Researchers aim to speed up the search for new antifungal compounds as wheat pathogens
How Soil Fungi Could Help Crops Need Less Fertilizer
Seed World Staff on 06/03/2026
Soil fungi could help crops improve nutrient uptake and reduce fertilizer needs by maintaining beneficial root partnerships.The post How Soil Fungi Could Help Crops Need Less Fertilizer appeared first on Seed World.Researchers at Whitehead Institute have created a detailed map of seed development th
European Agri-Food Coalition Backs NGT Compromise
Seed World Staff on 06/02/2026
A Push for Practical NGT RulesA coalition of 34 European agri-food value chain organisations is calling on Members of the European Parliament to support the adoption of the trilogue compromise text on plants produced by certain New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), without introducing further amendments.Th
GridScore NEXT Speeds Up Plant Breeding Research
Seed World Staff on 06/02/2026
GridScore NEXT helps crop researchers collect cleaner field data, reduce phenotyping errors and accelerate plant breeding.The post GridScore NEXT Speeds Up Plant Breeding Research appeared first on Seed World.An international team of researchers, led by The James Hutton Institute, has unveiled a pow
Ukraine’s New GM Traceability Law Takes Shape
Seed World Staff on 06/01/2026
Ukraine’s GM traceability law will align seed, crop and product rules with EU standards ahead of its August 2026 rollout.The post Ukraine’s New GM Traceability Law Takes Shape appeared first on Seed World.Ukraine is bringing its legislation into line with EU standards by consolidating relevant direc
ISTA 2026: Seed Testing’s Biggest Annual Event is Heading to Calgary
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/29/2026
From June 22–25, ISTA 2026 will bring together seed testing professionals, technical experts, regulators, and industry leaders from around the world to discuss the issues shaping global seed movement, market access, harmonization, and emerging technologies in seed testing. In the interview above, In
3D-Printed Technology Sheds Light on Fungal Highways in Wheat Crops
Seed World Staff on 05/29/2026
Researchers developed low-cost 3D-printed devices to study bacterial movement along fungal “highways” in soil and plants. Created by Rothamsted Research and collaborators, the scalable platform reveals how fungal networks transport bacteria under varying conditions, improving understanding of microb
European Commission Proposes Fertiliser Action Plan for Farmers
Seed World Staff on 05/28/2026
The European Commission has proposed a fertiliser action plan to support farmers, boost domestic production and improve Europe’s food security.The post European Commission Proposes Fertiliser Action Plan for Farmers appeared first on Seed World.Farmers across Europe are facing growing pressure from
Euroseeds 2026 Preview: Policy, Innovation & Global Stakes
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/28/2026
Euroseeds Congress 2026 in Valencia will spotlight EU policy, innovation, global seed regions and the future of the industry.The post Euroseeds 2026 Preview: Policy, Innovation & Global Stakes appeared first on Seed World.With major seed sector events competing for attention in 2026, what makes Euro
Why Plant Breeding Persistence Matters in Seeds
Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 05/27/2026
Plant breeding requires patience, discipline and long-term learning to develop better varieties and stronger seed sector leadership.The post Why Plant Breeding Persistence Matters in Seeds appeared first on Seed World.From developing new varieties to building stronger companies, real progress often
AI Model Predicts Tomato Virus Severity With 100% Accuracy
Seed World Staff on 05/27/2026
DeepTYLCV, developed at Sungkyunkwan University, uses artificial intelligence and viral genome sequence data to predict tomato yellow leaf curl virus virulence. Published in Plant Communications, the model identifies mild and severe TYLCV strains before field symptoms appear, supporting early diseas
They Went on Vacation and Bought a Seed Company?! | The Fusion Seed Story
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/26/2026
While on vacation in Hawaii, Chad and Sherry Goldsmith made a life-changing decision to buy a seed company. That leap became Fusion Seeds.The post They Went on Vacation and Bought a Seed Company?! | The Fusion Seed Story appeared first on Seed World.Chad and Sherry Goldsmith reveal how a life-changi
New Discovery Reveals How Crops Detect Stress and Disease
Seed World Staff on 05/26/2026
Researchers in Japan have discovered a copper-dependent hydrogen peroxide sensing system in plants, reshaping understanding of crop stress signaling and immunity. Published in Nature Communications, the study shows CARD1/HPCA1 detects H₂O₂ through metal-based redox chemistry, offering new insights f
WSC26: The Race for Faster Seed Innovation is Driving Companies to Chile
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/25/2026
In today’s seed sector, speed is a critical competitive advantage. Chile is increasingly positioning itself as a key facilitator in that race.At World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon, ANPROS Executive Director, Mario Schindler, and Executive Manager, Basilio Rojas, spoke about why international seed co
Michael Keller Honoured with Global Unity Award in Lisbon
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/25/2026
Michael Keller, Secretary General of the International Seed Federation, received Seed World Group’s 2025 Global Unity Award at World Seed Congress in Lisbon. The award recognizes Keller’s leadership, collaboration, and global influence in connecting seed associations, companies, policymakers, and fo
WSC26: Seed’s Future Depends on Food System Thinking
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/25/2026
World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon highlighted the seed sector’s growing role in global food systems. ISF Value Chain Coordination Group Chair Eduard Fito discusses sustainability, regulation, innovation, public trust, food security, and the need for stronger collaboration across agriculture, policy
WSC26: ISF Secretary General on the Future of the Global Seed Sector
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/25/2026
World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon united more than 1,800 delegates from 80 countries to address the future of agriculture. In an exclusive interview, ISF Secretary General Michael Keller discusses global seed sector collaboration, food security, innovation, intellectual property, seed movement, gen
Seed World Announces Winner of €10,000 Advertising Prize
Madeleine Baerg - Seed World Executive VP - Operations on 05/25/2026
At this year’s World Seed Congress in Lisbon, Seed World invited the global seed community to answer one big question for a chance to win €10,000 in advertising: what’s one thing the seed sector isn’t paying enough attention to right now?”The goal was simple: to spark conversation. Throughout the Co
Rothamsted Launches UK’s First Field Trial Under New PBO Rules
Seed World Staff on 05/24/2026
Rothamsted Research has planted the UK’s first crop under a Precision Bred Organism Release Notice, marking a milestone for gene-edited field trials. The CRISPR-Cas9 Camelina sativa trial will test increased seed size, yield and oil content, supporting future oilseed crop innovation, sustainable agr
European Commission Adopts Fertiliser Action Plan to Support Farmers and Strengthen EU Supply Security
Seed World Staff on 05/22/2026
European Commission’s Fertiliser Action Plan aims to ease rising fertiliser costs, improve supply security, support farmers, and strengthen domestic production. The initiative promotes bio-based, low-carbon and circular fertilisers, while reducing import reliance. Measures include CAP flexibility, m