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

The Best Way to Use AI? Think Like a Golfer, Not a Robot

Shawn Brook - Seed World Group President on 07/24/2026

An AI caddy can carry the routine work, offer perspective and speed up ideas, but it should never take the shot for you. The real value remains in human judgment, relationships, planning and experimentation.The post The Best Way to Use AI? Think Like a Golfer, Not a Robot appeared first on Seed Worl

Biochar May Protect Soil Health in Vegetable Crops

Seed World Staff on 07/23/2026

A new review examines how biochar may help protect soil health in continuously cropped solanaceous vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and potatoes. Researchers say biochar may improve soil structure, support beneficial microbes and reduce disease pressure.The post Biochar May Protect

Seed Sector 2045: How Low-Input Farming Is Changing Plant Breeding

Marcel Bruins - Seed World Europe Editorial Director on 07/23/2026

Low-input farming is becoming a strategic priority for European seed companies as farmers face tighter input constraints, reduced plant protection options and rising biodiversity expectations. The shift is increasing demand for varieties with nutrient-use efficiency, durable resistance and stronger

Mung Bean Pan-Genome Reveals Key Crop Traits

Seed World Staff on 07/22/2026

International study maps more than 66,000 structural variants linked to yield, nutrition, insect resistance and other breeding priorities.Researchers have developed the world’s first graph-based pan-genome for mung bean, uncovering previously hidden genetic variation that could accelerate developmen

A Common Language for Quality: Inside the OECD Fruit and Vegetable Scheme

Seed World Staff on 07/22/2026

Discover how the OECD Fruit and Vegetable Scheme creates consistent quality standards, supports fair trade and helps fresh produce move across global markets.The post A Common Language for Quality: Inside the OECD Fruit and Vegetable Scheme appeared first on Seed World.Ever wonder how an orange pick

HARVEST Aims to Make Agricultural Data AI-Ready

Seed World Staff on 07/22/2026

HARVEST will bring together more than 60 participants from 19 countries to make agricultural data AI-ready for crop breeding, research and farm decision-making. The European initiative will use barley as a model crop to improve data integration and climate resilience.The post HARVEST Aims to Make Ag

Netherlands Invests in Crop Phenotyping Facility

Seed World Staff on 07/21/2026

The Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre will receive €5.4 million for a five-year upgrade of its crop phenotyping facility, adding advanced imaging, drones, AI tools and field research capacity to support crop resilience and sustainable food production.The post Netherlands Invests in Crop Pheno

Hutton Launches Potato Virus Testing for 2026 Campaign

Seed World Staff on 07/21/2026

Hutton Scientific Services has launched a potato virus testing service for the 2026 seed potato campaign, following SASA’s withdrawal from commercial testing. The service will screen for PVY and PLRV to support seed certification, marketing and crop management decisions.The post Hutton Launches Pota

Euroseeds Names 2026 InnovAction Stage Finalists

Seed World Europe on 07/20/2026

Euroseeds has named 10 finalists for the Euroseeds InnovAction Stage at its 2026 Congress in Valencia. The selected companies will present seed treatment, enhancement, biological input and crop resilience technologies to the European and international seed community.The post Euroseeds Names 2026 Inn

EFSA Opinion Could Streamline Stacked GM Crops

Seed World Staff on 07/20/2026

EFSA’s GMO Panel says stacked GM crops may not always require additional comparative field trials or some dietary exposure assessments when previously assessed traits are combined and no new metabolic effects are expected.The post EFSA Opinion Could Streamline Stacked GM Crops appeared first on Seed

Nordic Melons Project Tests Historic Varieties

Seed World Staff on 07/20/2026

Nordic Melons is testing 12 heritage melon varieties to determine whether historic genetics can support locally grown, commercially viable production. The NordGen project aims to revive regional cultivation knowledge while supporting sustainability, food security and premium local markets.The post N

Concepts For Your Seeds

Seed World Staff on 07/18/2026

For over 40 years, SATEC® has provided high-quality seed treatment solutions—from pelleting to coating—serving agriculture, vegetables, ornamentals, and forestry with German-engineered equipment.The post Concepts For Your Seeds appeared first on Seed World.For more than 40 years, SATEC® has offered

Wheat Salt Tolerance Traits Could Improve Yields

Seed World Staff on 07/17/2026

Wheat salt tolerance could be improved by selecting for potassium retention, lower sodium accumulation and proline content. Researchers say these traits are linked to stronger grain yield under sodic stress.The post Wheat Salt Tolerance Traits Could Improve Yields appeared first on Seed World.Resear

Plant Sensors Could Detect Crop Stress Earlier

Seed World Staff on 07/17/2026

Tufts University researchers have developed battery-free plant sensors that attach to leaves and stems to monitor water loss, growth and crop stress. The technology could help farmers detect water shortages, salt stress or other problems before visible symptoms appear.The post Plant Sensors Could De

Barley Genes Linked to Stress and Grain Quality

Seed World Staff on 07/16/2026

Barley genes identified by International Barley Hub researchers help control protective surface traits linked to environmental stress protection and grain quality. The findings could support future work on drought tolerance and grain skinning in malting barley.The post Barley Genes Linked to Stress

Euroseeds Urges Agri-Food Role in EU Fund

Seed World Staff on 07/16/2026

Euroseeds has joined 39 European agri-food organisations in urging policymakers to keep agriculture and food central to the European Competitiveness Fund for 2028–2034, citing the sector’s role in security, resilience, innovation and economic growth.The post Euroseeds Urges Agri-Food Role in EU Fund

Climate Stress May Lower Soybean Seed Quality

Seed World Staff on 07/15/2026

Soybean seed quality could decline under combined climate stress from elevated CO₂, heat and drought, according to an AI-supported study. Researchers found potential yield gains but lower starch and protein levels in seeds.The post Climate Stress May Lower Soybean Seed Quality appeared first on Seed

AI Model Maps Hidden Grammar of Plant Genomes

Seed World Staff on 07/15/2026

Plant genomes contain regulatory patterns that help control traits such as flowering time, disease resistance and heat stress response. IPK researchers used deep learning to predict how transcription factors bind to DNA and influence gene activity.The post AI Model Maps Hidden Grammar of Plant Genom