Tomato Gene Could Improve Crop Drought Recovery

Seed World Staff on 08/21/2026

Tomato gene SlbHLH70 helped plants survive drought and recover after rewatering by coordinating hormone signalling, stress responses and root development. The findings could give breeders a new target for developing more drought-resilient crop varieties.The post Tomato Gene Could Improve Crop Drough

Seed Sector 2045: Why Public Trust Matters for Plant Breeding Innovation

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 08/21/2026

Plant breeding innovation in Europe depends on more than science and regulation. As NGTs move closer to approval, public trust, social licence, transparency and misinformation are becoming strategic issues for the seed sector.The post Seed Sector 2045: Why Public Trust Matters for Plant Breeding Inn

Gene Discovery Could Unlock Hidden Crop Traits

Seed World Staff on 08/20/2026

Crop traits for disease resistance, yield and climate resilience may become easier for breeders to access after researchers identified three genes that suppress recombination in chromosome regions where useful genetic variation has often remained out of reach.The post Gene Discovery Could Unlock Hid

Leaf Wax Signals Could Help Fight Crop Disease

Seed World Staff on 08/19/2026

Researchers are investigating how fungal pathogens recognise plant surfaces, opening the door to crop-protection strategies that disrupt infection before it begins.The waxy surface of a crop leaf could hold the key to preventing fungal disease before infection takes hold, according to new research f

Malin Nilsson Takes the Lead at Sweden’s SVUF

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 08/19/2026

Malin Nilsson reflects on taking over as secretary general of SVUF, the distinctive needs of Sweden’s seed sector, and the European policy issues shaping plant breeding, farm saved seed and variety protection.The post Malin Nilsson Takes the Lead at Sweden’s SVUF appeared first on Seed World.From fa

Built on Trust, Ready to Grow

Partner Content on 08/18/2026

SATEC Equipment’s new managing director Robin Kleinwort is carrying forward the company’s customer-first culture while focusing on intentional growth, expanded global partnerships and continued innovation in seed coating, pelleting and treatment systems.The post Built on Trust, Ready to Grow appeare

Crop Impacts Concentrated on One-Third of Farmland

Seed World Staff on 08/17/2026

Crop impacts on biodiversity loss and natural carbon storage are highly concentrated, according to new global mapping that links environmental pressure to specific crops, livestock products and regions where targeted action could deliver the largest gains.The post Crop Impacts Concentrated on One-Th

Maize Sugar Transporters Point to Male-Sterile Lines

Seed World Staff on 08/17/2026

Maize sugar transporters ZmSWEET6a and ZmSWEET6b play key roles in pollen-wall formation and anther cell balance, according to new research that could support development of male-sterile lines for more efficient hybrid seed production.The post Maize Sugar Transporters Point to Male-Sterile Lines app

UK Researchers Target Drought-Resilient Vegetables

Seed World Staff on 08/17/2026

Harper Adams University researchers are identifying drought-resilient vegetables by screening lettuce, brassica, coriander, carrot and onion varieties for stress-tolerance traits. The work could help breeders develop crops better suited to extreme heat and limited water.The post UK Researchers Targe

Sugar Beet Drought Stress Can Increase Pest Damage

Seed World Staff on 08/14/2026

New research from the University of Göttingen finds that sugar beet drought stress can alter crop physiology and pest pressure. Moderate drought made leaves more favourable to beet leaf miner larvae, while severe drought restricted both plant and pest development.The post Sugar Beet Drought Stress C

China EDV System Begins With First 10 Crops

Seed World Staff on 08/13/2026

China EDV system implementation has begun with MARA publishing the country’s first agricultural plant EDV catalogue. The framework covers 10 crops and includes determination guidelines, crop-specific thresholds and recommended testing institutions.The post China EDV System Begins With First 10 Crops

EU Seed Trade Looks to New Global Agreements

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 08/13/2026

EU seed trade could benefit from recent EU trade agreements with Mercosur, Australia, India, Indonesia and Mexico. For plant breeders and seed companies, the real impact will depend on phytosanitary rules, customs procedures, IP protection and practical implementation.The post EU Seed Trade Looks to

Crop Diversity Strengthens Natural Pest Control

Seed World Staff on 08/12/2026

A global meta-analysis of 149 field studies found that crop diversity can increase natural enemies of agricultural pests and improve plant performance. The findings highlight how more diverse farming systems may reduce reliance on chemical pest control.The post Crop Diversity Strengthens Natural Pes

RF3 Canola Quality B. juncea Deemed Safe by EFSA

Seed World Staff on 08/11/2026

EFSA’s GMO Panel concluded that RF3 Canola Quality B. juncea is as safe and nutritionally equivalent as conventional counterparts. BASF’s application seeks EU authorization for food, feed, import and processing uses, but not cultivation.The post RF3 Canola Quality B. juncea Deemed Safe by EFSA appea

Seed Sector 2045: Cover Crops Offer Regenerative Opportunity for Seed

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 08/07/2026

Cover crops are emerging as a practical link between regenerative agriculture and the seed sector. As farmers focus more on soil health, rotations and input efficiency, seed companies may find new opportunities in locally adapted genetics, mixtures and agronomic support.The post Seed Sector 2045: Co

Xylella Research Advances Disease Control

Seed World Staff on 08/06/2026

Research on Xylella fastidiosa is advancing resistant olive cultivars, biological control, insect vector management and surveillance. Findings presented in Italy could support improved disease management and olive production recovery in affected regions.The post Xylella Research Advances Disease Con

Global Soil Degradation Is Cutting Crop Yields

Seed World Staff on 08/05/2026

University of Bonn researchers found that soil degradation is significantly reducing crop yields worldwide. Reversing human-caused degradation could increase production enough to feed approximately 70 million more people.The post Global Soil Degradation Is Cutting Crop Yields appeared first on Seed

New Gene Insertion Method Could Support Crop Traits

Seed World Staff on 08/04/2026

KAUST researchers have developed a gene insertion method that precisely adds large genetic sequences into plant genomes without first breaking DNA. The technique, demonstrated in rice and tobacco, could support more complex crop traits and plant-based biomanufacturing.The post New Gene Insertion Met

Climate Change Threatens Crop Nutrition

Seed World Staff on 08/03/2026

Climate change is reducing the nutritional value of major food crops, creating new challenges for food security. A Nature review examines how plant breeding, genome editing and other technologies could improve crop nutrition while strengthening climate resilience.The post Climate Change Threatens Cr

UK Approves First Precision-Bred Potato for Market

Seed World Staff on 07/30/2026

The UK has approved its first precision-bred potato, moving PiperPlus closer to market. The disease-resistant Maris Piper was developed to combat late blight, Potato Virus Y and Potato Leafroll Virus while reducing reliance on fungicides and insecticides.The post UK Approves First Precision-Bred Pot

Commission Excludes Soybean Seeds from EUDR

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 07/30/2026

The European Commission has removed soybean seeds EUDR coverage after recognising that seeds for sowing move through a separate, highly controlled value chain with negligible trade volumes and distinct certification, testing and traceability systems.The post Commission Excludes Soybean Seeds from EU

Austria Builds Research Station for Climate-Resilient Crops

Seed World Staff on 07/29/2026

Austria has begun construction of a new AGES research station in Großnondorf to evaluate climate-resilient crops under dry conditions. The site will support variety testing, drought stress research and climate-adapted plant breeding.The post Austria Builds Research Station for Climate-Resilient Crop

Euroseeds Welcomes EP Rejection of High ILUC Soybean Oil Proposal

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 07/27/2026

Euroseeds says the European Parliament’s rejection of the soybean oil ILUC proposal is an important step for Europe’s soy value chain, protein crop ambitions and breeding investment, though the policy file now returns to the Commission.The post Euroseeds Welcomes EP Rejection of High ILUC Soybean Oi

Scottish Farmers Urged to Plan for Water Scarcity

Seed World Staff on 07/24/2026

Scottish farmers and growers are being urged to prepare for water scarcity as climate change brings longer and more frequent dry periods. CREW says drought could affect river flows twice as often by 2050, creating new risks for crops, livestock and water supplies.The post Scottish Farmers Urged to P